Maxime Raynaud

Maxime Raynaud
No. 42 – Sacramento Kings
PositionCenter
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2003-04-07) 7 April 2003
Paris, France
Listed height7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High schoolLycée Henri-IV
(Paris, France)
CollegeStanford (2021–2025)
NBA draft2025: 2nd round, 42nd overall pick
Drafted bySacramento Kings
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–2021Nanterre 92
2025–presentSacramento Kings
2025→Stockton Kings
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Basketball Reference 
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  France
FIBA U20 European Championship
2023 Greece Team
FIBA U16 European Championship
2019 Italy Team

Maxime Pierre Raynaud (born 7 April 2003) is a French professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Stanford Cardinal.

College career

Raynaud graduated from Lycée Henri-IV in his native Paris. Seeking to continue his basketball development in the United States, he committed to the Stanford Cardinal in 2021.[1] He earned a place in Stanford’s regular rotation during his first two collegiate seasons under head coach Jerod Haase, gradually increasing his role and responsibilities.

Raynaud’s progression accelerated following his sophomore year, when a shift in mindset and work habits became evident. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, assistant coach David Berkun encouraged Raynaud to simplify his approach, increase his overall effort, and focus less on questioning, a change that translated into improved consistency and impact on both ends of the court.[2]

As a junior during the 2023–24 season, Raynaud emerged as one of Stanford’s most productive players, averaging 15.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. His performances earned him second-team All-Pac-12 honors, as well as the conference’s Most Improved Player award.

Following the departure of Haase at the conclusion of the season, Raynaud entered the NCAA transfer portal and explored other options before ultimately deciding to remain at Stanford. He withdrew from the portal and committed to playing under newly appointed head coach Kyle Smith as the program prepared for its inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference.[3][4]

Raynaud’s senior season (2024–25) marked the peak of his collegiate career. He posted career-high averages of 20.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, recording 23 double-doubles, leading the ACC in rebounding, and ranking among the national statistical leaders. He was named first-team All-ACC and ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and became one of only three major-conference players in recent history to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 50 three-point field goals in a single season, alongside Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony.[5]

At the conclusion of the season, Raynaud was also named recipient of the Skip Prosser Award, recognizing the ACC’s top scholar-athlete.[6]

Professional career

Sacramento Kings (2025-present)

Raynaud was picked 42nd overall in the 2025 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, and later signed a three-year rookie contract[7] on July 3, 2025.[8] On November 4, 2025, the Kings assigned Raynaud to the Stockton Kings of the NBA G-League.[9][10] After appearing only sparingly during the first fifteen games of the season, Raynaud earned increased playing time following an injury to Domantas Sabonis, gradually working his way into the Kings' frontcourt rotation. Beginning on November 20, 2025, he doubled his scoring average from 5.2 to 10.5 points per game with a field-goal percentage of 55.6%[11]. On November 30, 2025, Raynaud posted what was then the best performance of his young NBA career, scoring 19 points against the Utah Jazz, including 16 points in the fourth quarter[12]. He credited veteran teammate Russell Westbrook for offering halftime guidance, encouraging him to “roll hard, move around the ball, and do the little things” to become more effective offensively. Westbrook described the exchange as an example of “quiet leadership,” reflecting his approach to mentoring younger players. Head coach Doug Christie also highlighted Westbrook’s involvement, noting that the former MVP regularly participates in technical sessions with the team’s big men[12]. Raynaud continued his rise a few days later: on December 4, 2025, he recorded 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists against the Houston Rockets, prompting Christie to consider starting him[11]. He made his first NBA start on December 6, 2025, against the Miami Heat, registering a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) with two blocks and no turnovers in a Kings victory[11].

Player profile

Christie described Raynaud as a “sponge” for his ability to absorb coaching quickly, praising his game understanding, positioning, and defensive awareness. Raynaud himself noted growing on-court chemistry with his teammates: “I know where I have to be and when… It’s easier now than on the first day of training camp”[11].

National team career

Raynaud has been a member of the France national team, competing at several levels of their junior program. He was a starter on the French team that won gold at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship, leading the team in scoring (26) in their championship win over Israel.[13]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 Stanford 29 5 12.0 .541 .423 .538 3.8 .8 .2 .2 4.5
2022–23 Stanford 33 23 22.4 .540 .279 .595 6.1 .9 .5 .5 8.8
2023–24 Stanford 32 31 29.1 .567 .361 .784 9.6 2.0 .7 .8 15.5
2024–25 Stanford 35 35 33.5 .467 .347 .770 10.6 1.7 .9 1.4 20.2
Career 129 94 24.7 .515 .347 .732 7.7 1.3 .6 .8 12.6

See also

References

  1. ^ Branham, Travis (14 May 2021). "2021 French big man Maxime Raynaud commits to Stanford". 247Sports.com. 247Sports. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  2. ^ Ron Kroichick (April 28, 2025). "Finally proud to be tall: How hoops helped Stanford's Maxime Raynaud enjoy life north of 7 feet". San Francisco Chronicle.
  3. ^ Grubbs, Grant (19 April 2024). "Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud withdraws from NCAA Transfer Portal". on3.com. On3.com. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  4. ^ McCauley, Janie (28 February 2025). "Maxime Raynaud's return to Stanford has meant so much to him and the program". apnews.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  5. ^ Ron Kroichick (April 28, 2025). "Finally proud to be tall: How hoops helped Stanford's Maxime Raynaud enjoy life north of 7 feet". San Francisco Chronicle.
  6. ^ "ND's Miles, Stanford's Raynaud Earn ACC Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year Honors". theacc.com (Press release). Atlantic Coast Conference. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  7. ^ Taylor, Cody; read, Rookie Wire·2 min (2 July 2025). "Report: Kings sign 42nd pick Maxime Raynaud to 3-year, $5.95M rookie contract". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 5 July 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Sacramento Kings Sign Nique Clifford and Max Raynaud". NBA.com. July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  9. ^ "Kings' Maxime Raynaud: Transferred to G League". CBS Sports. November 4, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  10. ^ Struck, Logan (November 4, 2025). "Kings assign rookie big man to NBA G League". Sports Illustrated. Maven Coalition. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d Tanguy Mantovani (8 December 2025). "NBA - "Une éponge" : comment Maxime Raynaud a utilisé sa tête pour s'imposer en NBA avec les Sacramento Kings". Eurosport (in French).
  12. ^ a b Jason Anderson (2 December 2025). "Sacramento Kings rookie sees 'quiet' side of Westbrook's leadership". The Sacramento Bee.
  13. ^ "Raynaud, Kamardine and Yaacov put on a show, as France outlast Israel". FIBA. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
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