Maxime Raynaud Scouting Deepdive
Why the immensely talented 7-footer from Stanford deserves to be in contention for a first-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Every year, the NBA Draft is absolutely chock-full of players with unique skillsets. No matter how many players have come and gone throughout the league’s history, they have managed to continuously evolve in a never-ending effort to survive a tumultuous ecosystem. This year’s draft cycle looks to continue this trend, with players such as Cooper Flagg and Collin Murray-Boyles projected to be selected in the lottery because of their one-of-a-kind playstyles. There’s another player in this year’s draft class that will more than likely not be taken in the lottery; instead, he’s battling to break into the first round. Today, I want to break down what makes Stanford center Maxime Raynaud so special, and why NBA organizations should seriously consider selecting him in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Player Profile:
Maxime Raynaud is a 7’1” and 250lb senior center from Paris, France, currently playing for the Stanford Cardinal. Prior to joining Stanford for his freshman season in 2021, he was in the midst of a successful international career, playing high school basketball for Lycee Henri IV in Paris and playing professionally alongside eventual number one draft pick Victor Wembanyama at Espoirs Nanterre. He has found significant success playing in the French national team’s feeder system, winning a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championships and a silver medal at the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championships.
Since arriving at Stanford, Raynaud has followed a trend of consistent growth. He barely played during his freshman season but became a legitimate rotation player for his sophomore campaign. He emerged as Stanford’s star player during his junior year, when he posted his most efficient season to date on just about thirty minutes per game. Following his junior season, he was named the PAC-12 Most Improved Player of the Year and was selected to the All-PAC-12 Second Team. Going into this year, following Stanford’s move to the ACC, evaluators weren’t sure if he’d be able to maintain his elite level of play against stiffer in-conference competition. Not only did he immediately quell those doubts, but he has been one of the best players in both the ACC and the country.
So far this season, Raynaud is posting averages of 19.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block per game on shooting splits of 46.8% from the field, 32.6% from beyond the arc, and 78% from the free-throw line. His splits are slightly worse this year than they were last year, but his offensive responsibilities have grown exponentially, and his volume has increased at all three levels, especially from three-point territory. He’s leading the nation in double-doubles, is third in the country in rebounding, and is fourteenth in scoring. Statistically, his legitimacy as a potential first-round pick is difficult to deny. With all of that said, let’s take a step away from his counting stats and achievements and try to determine if he also passes the eye test.
Interior Scoring:
As I’m sure you could have guessed, the 7’1” center is a solid interior scorer. What may shock you is how he generates offense near the rim. Unlike most players his size, Raynaud creates most of his at-the-rim offense by attacking from the perimeter with the ball in-hand. He’s light on his feet, has a legitimately effective handle, and is a fluid soft-touch finisher once he reaches the basket. He does occasionally operate off-the-ball in the pick-and-roll and in seal situations, but for the most part he shoulders his own shot-creation responsibilities.
Raynaud is a versatile off-ball scorer, even if it doesn’t make up a huge portion of his shot diet. He’s a solid roller in the pick-and-roll, utilizing his height, length, and athletic prowess to act as an elite play finisher. That athletic profile on a 7-foot frame is not something we typically see, especially at the collegiate level, and it’s a trait that I believe almost guarantees his usefulness at the professional level. He’s a weapon in transition both on- and off-the-ball; a player with the necessary size and athletic abilities to catch a lob over just about anyone. It’s these off-ball flashes that make me incredibly comfortable predicting his professional floor, that he’s capable of succeeding once his role is scaled down.
As I said, most of his at-the-rim attempts are generated beyond the arc. His ability to knock down the three at a relatively efficient clip forces defenders to aggressively close out, allowing him to blow past them for easy offense. He doesn’t have fantastic first-step acceleration (which is to be expected for a player of his size), but what he does possess is impressive third- and fourth-step acceleration. Once he gets past his defender and is given the space he needs to accelerate, he is incredibly difficult to keep from scoring. Once again, his athleticism and vertical pop, which lead to incredibly efficient offense, is not something we are used to seeing in similar players. He’s also capable of putting the ball on the floor and getting past frontcourt opponents using only his handle and footwork. All in all, he’s a far more versatile offensive creator than most centers.
The final layer of his interior scoring arsenal is his back-to-the-basket and post-up offense. As you will read in a moment, the majority of his points come from short mid-range and low post jumpers. Obviously, opponents gameplan for this, but in the process, often leave a blind spot for him to turn those possessions into easy layups. Defenses are so focused on stopping his hook shots and turnaround jumpers that they fail to keep him from getting to the basket. I do wish he finished at-the-rim in these scenarios more often, but I understand that that would likely result in his scouting report becoming even more detailed. Either way, this is something I am confident he’s capable of bringing with him to a professional system.
In-Between Scoring:
Understanding Raynuad’s in-between game is probably the most important aspect of evaluating him as a player and prospect. The mid-range is where he scores most of his points, and he’s clearly at his most comfortable when creating and taking these shots. There’s no question that he’s one of the best soft touch shot making big men in all of college basketball. Most questions regarding this aspect of his game arise when considering his professional outlook, but I’m here to quell any doubts regarding the translation of these skills. At some point, a player is good enough at something to almost guarantee their success at higher levels of the sport, and I am of the opinion that Raynaud is at that point in this department.
His comfort on these shots is second-to-none, and his ability to knock them down in a myriad of ways is a standout trait. He uses his strength and elite footwork to find excellent court position and is able to make these shots while moving and on planted feet. He has quick-twitch reflexes, allowing him to turn sharply over either shoulder once his defender has committed to a side. The ability to make these shots with both hands over both shoulders is a pivotal trait for any mid-range operative, and it’s something that Raynaud has consistently gotten better at throughout his career. In many cases, we see players with this skill who don’t have the size and/or strength to get these shots off over professional athletes. Raynaud is not one of those players, using a hefty 7-foot frame and the ability to get off the ground better than most of his peers to consistently convert in these situations.
When Raynaud penetrates from the perimeter and the defense does a good enough job of keeping him from getting all the way to the rim, he’s capable of knocking down floaters and turnaround touch shots. This ability not only bolsters his in-between game, but it also strengthens his finishing around the rim, as defenders are forced to match up with him earlier on his drives. He doesn’t take a ton of these shots, as he prefers to either take it all the way to the hoop or pivot into his post-up game. That said, he’s effective on these looks, and it’s just another intriguing wrinkle in his offensive arsenal that should be considered when looking at him through a professional lens.
When most people think about mid-range shot creation, the two shots that come to mind are the pull-up and turnaround jumpers. I’ll just tell you now; Maxime Raynaud does not take pull-up jumpers. Now that that is out of the way, let’s talk about his turnaround jump shots (there isn’t a ton to talk about). Raynaud does not attempt these shots often, which is strange considering how comfortable he seems when taking them. Everything else about his game would suggest that he could knock them down at a solid clip, but he rarely takes them. I haven’t seen him take nor make these shots enough to feel comfortable projecting him to be an effective operative on them at the next level, but I would venture to guess that he is more capable in this department than his output would suggest.
Outside Shooting:
One of the things that truly separates Raynaud from his peers is his ability to knock down the outside shot. He’s not a generational shooting big by any means, but his ability to hit these shots supports the rest of his offensive game. Defenders are forced to respect him from beyond the arc, allowing him to attack the paint and penetrate the mid-range more easily. It also spaces the floor to the point where he’s able to showcase his advanced passing acumen (we’ll talk more about this shortly). He is still developing as an outside shooter, currently shooting just under 33% from deep on over five attempts per game. This is a major volume increase from his two attempts per game last season and one attempt per game the two years before that. So, while his percentage from deep doesn’t jump off the page, it’s important to consider the situation’s context.
He sees most of his looks from beyond the arc on pick-and-pop actions. This is an aspect of his game that will be incredibly important for his transition to the professional level, as he will surely be utilized in this way. His interior scoring abilities force opponents to coast into the paint after he sets a screen, giving him the space he needs for his somewhat labored shot motion. Obviously, professional defenses will be better prepared for this, but his size and length does make up for this to some extent. He’s capable of getting shots off over the outstretched arms of defenders, which will come in handy against more capable NBA defenses.
In an extension of his pick-and-pop shooting from deep, he’s also capable of operating away from the play as a catch-and-shoot agent. This is probably where his mechanics look the most fluid, as he’s not rushed or on the move when attempting these shots. Being able to hit open catch-and-shoot threes is probably the most important outside shooting trait for role players at the next level, and I feel pretty confident projecting him to be a solid catch-and-shoot operative at higher levels of the sport.
He rarely puts the ball on the floor before attempting a three-point shot. If he does anything between receiving a pass and attempting the shot it will be a jab step or a pump fake. While he is a capable ball handler and shooter, his shot motion is just so slow, and he can’t afford to give defenders extra recovery time by putting the ball on the floor. That said, he is a tough shot maker who will occasionally knock down an off-the-dribble three over a tough contest (I want to say Nikola Jokic-Esque, but that feels like heresy). All in all, consistent and effective off-the-dribble outside shooting isn’t something that should be expected from him unless he makes significant changes to his shooting mechanics.
Offensive Rebounding:
If Raynaud does anything at an elite level once he makes it to the league, it will be rebounding. His 11.3 rebound per game ranks third in the nation and first at the power-five level. He’s finished with a double-double in 20 out of 26 of his games up to this point. He’s simply fantastic on the boards. That said, there are a ton of very good rebounding big men at the professional level who aren’t massive difference makers (think Jusuf Nurkic on the Suns). Raynaud separates himself as a glass cleaner by picking up a ton of easy points on the offensive boards. His 3 offensive rebounds per game is definitely an eye-catching number, but that number becomes even more intriguing when you watch him play and see what kind of rebounds make up that total. His feel for tip-ins and put backs is second-to-none, and I fully expect that feel to translate to the professional game.
His advanced interior scoring acumen perfectly complements his offensive rebounding. He has a surprisingly quick second jump, getting off the floor for putbacks before opponents are able to contest his attempt. When he combines his scoring abilities from this range with his standout athletic profile relative to his peers, his major advantages as a second-chance scorer become very evident. That said, he’s at his best in this department when he doesn’t have to come back down with the ball at all.
Raynaud is a one-man cleanup crew, regularly finishing possessions on the glass when his teammates fail to convert on their attempts. He has some of the best tip-in timing I’ve seen from a college prospect, seemingly always in the right place at the right time. He utilizes his length, vertical pop, and instincts to dominate his opponents not only by gobbling up offensive rebounds, but also by picking up easy points without even returning to the floor with the ball. By taking this approach to offensive rebounding, defenders don’t get a chance to stop him from scoring, making his job significantly easier. This is something that I’m confident will translate to the professional level to some extent and is something that every single NBA organization loves to see from their rotational big men.
Passing & Playmaking:
Raynaud doesn’t have standout assist averages or totals, but if you watch him play you know that he occasionally shows flashes of being an elite offensive hub. He undoubtedly has very strong passing feel, and I do believe that if he were surrounded by more talented shot makers and if he wasn’t forced to shoulder so much of his team’s scoring load that he could shine as a passing big. I do doubt that he’ll ever get a chance to be a primary offensive hub in an NBA system, but I do believe that he could make a positive impact through his passing abilities.
He’s an excellent operative in the two-man game, with and without the use of screens by him or his counterpart. He’s able to throw passes on a dime between defenders, placing the ball perfectly in his teammate’s pocket almost every time. His favorite target in these situations is Oziyah Sellers, a player that I really do like from a future prospect perspective, but not an elite target at the moment. I can only imagine how effective these plays would be if Raynaud was working alongside active NBA-caliber talent at every position. At the very least, he’s significantly better in this category than the large majority of players of his size and position.
He’s also capable of delivering passes to distant targets over the top of defenders and defeating double-teams by releasing passes at exactly the right time. These are incredibly useful skills for him to have seeing how he’s defended at the college level. When he receives the ball anywhere near the hoop; the double-team comes almost immediately. Him being willing and able to pass out of double-teams to streaking teammates is, at the moment, a vital element for his success. I don’t foresee him commanding as much attention at the professional level as he does in college, so the argument could be made that his passing will be even more viable once he takes a step up in competition and faces less consistent on-ball pressure.
Despite me not including any clips of this, Raynaud is very good at delivering passes to shooters beyond the arc. These often come after defenses send a double-team at him, which gives him the opening to send a pass across the court to open teammates in the corner and on the wing. I didn’t include these clips because, to be honest, only one or two of these shots were actually converted on by his teammates. If his teammates were more consistent from the perimeter; his assist averages would probably be slightly more attractive. Much like the rest of his passing package, once he’s surrounded by NBA marksmen, I could see him becoming a more impactful passer.
Defense:
Raynaud isn’t a game changing defender by any means, but he holds his own on this end of the floor, and I do think that once his offensive load isn’t as heavy, he’ll be able to focus more on his defensive game. He’s a solid rim protector, averaging 1 block per game and successfully contesting several more attempts per game without being credited with a blocked shot. While he doesn’t post incredible block statistics, he does a few things especially well in this department. He’s great at getting vertical on his contests, allowing him to alter shots without fouling. He averages only 1.8 fouls per game, a remarkably low number for a primary rim protector who plays nearly 34 minutes per game. If he relied only on his athleticism and size he would probably foul out of a lot of games, so instead he plays traditionally, contesting straight up and down to alter shots while avoiding the whistle. If he approached rim protection in a different way, he would probably average more blocks but would risk hurting his and his team’s output in other areas.
Apart from shot blocking and rim protection, he is probably slightly better than your average 7-footer in other defensive areas. He’s a solid lateral mover along the perimeter. He has quick hands and strong instincts, allowing him to pick up steals and deflections. I wouldn’t call him a significant difference maker in these categories, but he does enough on the defensive end to hold his own and keep from being a negative. All in all, his defensive shortcomings don’t give his opponents any legitimate advantages, and he more than makes up for any defensive lapses that he does occasionally have by being a force on the other end of the floor.
Summary:
Before I give a complete summary of Raynaud’s game, I want to list out all his weaknesses and flaws in order to paint a full picture of him as a player and prospect. It’s important to remember that no player is perfect, and that weaknesses should be viewed as areas in need of improvement if a player wants to reach their ceiling. Luckily for Raynaud, he has far less weaknesses than your average high-volume 7-foot college player, which is one of the primary reasons why he’s such an intriguing prospect in the first place.
Raynaud is a solid finisher around the rim but does occasionally struggle to convert against physical interior defenders, especially those who out-strength him down low.
For a guy who spends so much of his time operating near the hoop, he doesn’t draw much contact when creating offense, limiting his trips to the free-throw line and his overall scoring output.
When he does land himself on the charity stripe, he isn’t a great free-throw shooter. This season has been his best in this department, with him currently sitting just below 80% at the line. He sat under 60% throughout his first two collegiate seasons.
On nights where his in-between game isn’t as strong as it typically is, he can resort to taking bad shots instead of making the right play. I’m not sure if this is a result of frustration or if he knows he has to carry the offensive weight of his team, but it often leads to negative outcomes.
He doesn’t have a super strong traditional mid-range game; that being pull up and turnaround jump shots. I’m not sure if developing these shots is a must, but it would definitely make him a more well-rounded scorer.
His outside shooting is limited almost exclusively to standstill catch-and-shoot attempts. I’m not sure if he’ll ever be viewed as a viable outside shooting threat at the next level, and if he is it will be through a very limited lens.
On occasion he tries to do too much with his handle, putting the ball on the floor for extended periods of time instead of allowing his teammates to contribute. This has resulted in turnover issues for him this season. That being said, I highly doubt that this would be an issue for him in a professional system.
Defensively, he’s just average, which is disappointing considering the individual traits that he possesses. He’s more athletic than your average 7-footer, he gets off the ground quickly, he has good length, good timing, and strong instincts. However, he doesn’t put those things together consistently to make for a strong defensive product.
To summarize Maxime Raynaud’s game in simple terms; he is an offensive weapon with skills and traits that you don’t typically see from players of his size. On a 7’1” and 250lb frame he is a player capable of getting loose in transition and throwing down a windmill dunk or catching a fast-paced lob over a defender. In the half court he’s a skilled operative around the rim and in the mid-range, where he’s able to showcase his elite scoring acumen. He’s an elite rebounder who picks up a ton of easy points by cleaning up the offensive glass. Finally, he possesses a few traits such as outside shooting, passing, and shot blocking that are already somewhat solid but could still use quite a bit of work. He’s simply far more skilled and naturally talented than similar players, making him an incredibly versatile option for NBA organizations.
I do believe that Raynaud is deserving of a first-round selection after this season. Only around fifteen draft picks have prolonged NBA careers on average, and I am almost certain that he will have a successful NBA career. Now, is his ceiling as high as a talented freshman? Probably not. Because of that, there’s a good chance he will fall out of the first-round. But if I were to bet on fifteen names out of this draft having long and successful careers in the league, he would be on my list. Take that bet for what you will, but I’m hoping that an organization will value that Raynaud can make an immediate impact in their rotation.