Would a Designated Rebounder work today?

I have read that one of the reasons that individual rebounding numbers were so much lower beginning sometime in the 1970s (causing the NCAA to break out the records separately since that time) is that the philosophy of the game changed. The knee-jerk reaction is to say that it was because of the three-point shot, but that won't work because the change came before the advent of the three-pointer.

The official explanation is that in those days the 4 and 5 spot players were expected to clean the boards on their own, and the perimeter players released to defend the fast break. These days rebounding is considered more of a team responsibility, especially since the 3 was instituted. Of course, with that shift in philosophy there has been a de-emphasis on rebounding, and I honestly do not think coaches teach it as much or as well these days.

But would a Designated Rebounder function work today? Certainly not unless you had a kid who loved to do it and was taught how to. We probably had one in the days of Rashad Jones-Jennings. He did not leave many rebounds for the other players. His senior year, when he led the nations in boards at 13.1 rpg, our second-best board man was Byron Ray with only 4.9. JJ pulled down 36% of our rebounds that season. So, yes, it can be done, but I would say it is not likely to happen. That day has passed. We are not going to see players average 20 boards a game over the course of their career.