Maxime Raynaud


Maxime Pierre Raynaud is a French professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association. 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. 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.
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.
Raynaud’s senior season 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.
At the conclusion of the season, Raynaud was also named recipient of the Skip Prosser Award, recognizing the ACC’s top scholar-athlete. Raynaud graduated with a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Professional career

Raynaud was picked 42nd overall in the 2025 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, and later signed a three-year rookie contract on July 3, 2025. On November 4, 2025, the Kings assigned Raynaud to the Stockton Kings of the NBA G-League. 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%. 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. 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. 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. He made his first NBA start on December 6, 2025, against the Miami Heat, registering a double-double with two blocks and no turnovers in a Kings victory.

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”.

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 in their championship win over Israel.