HOUSTON – On Friday at Oklahoma City, Jarred Vanderbilt grabbed 16 rebounds, which tied a career high he set last month against the Lakers. It was a nice night for Vanderbilt, but it left him wanting more.
"Been trying to get 20 all year," Vanderbilt said. "Keep coming a little short, but it's all good."
On Sunday, Vanderbilt came oh so close. He had a career-high 21 points and 19 rebounds in front of family and friends in his hometown of Houston as the Timberwolves won 141-123.
"I realized I was at like 18, and I heard the bench kept yelling at me to get two more," Vanderbilt said. "So I was fighting trying to get the last two."
If he keeps playing with the kind of frenetic energy that has earned him a starting spot, he will have more chances to get there. But Vanderbilt has made his name on more than just hustle. His understanding of the Wolves' defensive scheme has helped him become one of the Wolves' most reliable defenders.
When he rebounds, he is trying to figure out where the ball is going to go based off where the shot was taken and where it's most likely to land. That is more than just effort.
Vanderbilt has helped the Wolves become one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the league. They rank fourth by grabbing 30.1% of all available offensive rebounds per game. They score 15.7 second-chance points per game, third in the league, and that's helped in part because of Vanderbilt's 3.1 offensive boards per game. That number also doesn't take into account the times Vanderbilt has drawn fouls trying to get offensive boards or the times a ball has gone out off an opponent because he influenced the rebound attempt.
Vanderbilt has said before he goes up for an offensive rebound, he tries to scan what's happening around him and where the defense is. So should he get the rebound he has a feel for what to do afterward — go back up with it or try to kick the ball out to an open teammate. It's a line Vanderbilt has been walking better of late. Last season, he would mostly look to just go back up with mixed results. Now he is more conscientious of looking for open teammates.
