Sacramento Kings rookie center Maxime Raynaud is making waves in the NBA, and veteran DeMar DeRozan isn't surprised. After the Kings' victory over the Brooklyn Nets, where Raynaud delivered an impressive 22 points and 10 rebounds, DeRozan praised the young center's development.
DeRozan, in his second season with the Kings, has taken on a mentorship role for Raynaud and fellow rookies Nique Clifford and Dylan Cardwell. "It’s big, man.
It’s been fun," DeRozan shared. "A group of young guys, just teaching them, showing them, watching them grow.
It’s fun."
Alongside Russell Westbrook, another seasoned pro, DeRozan is turning a challenging season into a learning opportunity for the young squad. "From my part, from Russ, from other guys, we just try to give them as much as we can, knowledge-wise, and try to make the game as easy as possible for them," DeRozan explained.
Maxime Raynaud: A Rising Star
Drafted 42nd overall last summer, Raynaud was expected to go in the late first round. Rumor has it, he had his sights set on Sacramento, leading some teams to pass on him. The Kings might have snagged the draft's hidden gem.
With Domantas Sabonis sidelined due to a knee injury, Raynaud has stepped up as the starting center. Over 64 games, with 46 starts, he's averaging 11.9 points and 7.3 rebounds, shooting 56% from the field. He leads all rookies in double-doubles with 16.
Raynaud's recent performances have been eye-catching, especially with back-to-back 30-plus point games-a Kings rookie feat not seen in over 30 years. This March, he's averaging 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 63% shooting.
His stellar play has elevated him to fourth on the NBA’s Rookie Ladder, trailing only top-five draft picks Kon Knueppel, Cooper Flagg, and VJ Edgecombe.
Despite missing out on the Rising Stars Game, DeRozan hopes Raynaud will earn a spot on the NBA’s All-Rookie Team. "I’m still frustrated that Max didn’t make the Rookie-Sophomore game.
But don’t tell him," DeRozan quipped. "From my standpoint, I want him to make that All-Rookie team."
With ten games left, Raynaud has a strong case for the All-Rookie team, especially if he continues his scoring surge.
Looking Ahead for the Kings
The Kings are gearing up for a five-game East Coast road trip, starting Tuesday in Charlotte. They previously fell to the Hornets 117-109, with LaMelo Ball leading the charge for Charlotte.
Catch all the action on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT.