Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud is spending his offseason on another stage, and France is already taking notice.
Raynaud, who just wrapped up one of the most eye-opening rookie seasons in recent memory, has joined France’s World Cup qualifying squad alongside five other NBA players. The group opened with a 92-64 win over Belgium on Friday, though Raynaud did not play in that game.
Even without logging minutes yet, he’s drawn strong reviews from head coach Fred Fauthoux.
"It's going very well, he [Raynaud] has a very high basketball IQ. Of course, he lacks experience in terms of European basketball, but he grasps the game very well during training sessions," Fauthoux said. "Whether it's the association with Victor [Wembanyama], Rudy [Gobert], the possibilities are multiple."
That praise comes on the heels of a season in Sacramento that blew past expectations. Taken No. 42 overall out of Stanford, Raynaud averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 57.1 percent, giving the Kings real minutes in the front court when Domantas Sabonis was out.
His role only grew as the season went on. In 15 appearances, the 7-foot-1 center averaged more than 17 points per game and became one of only three rookies in NBA history - alongside Otis Thorpe and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - to post at least 250 points and 125 rebounds while shooting at least 59 percent from the field, according to a Kings press release.
One of his biggest nights came in late March, when he put up a career-high 32 points, grabbed nine rebounds and hit two 3-pointers against Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
That production earned him All-Rookie Second Team honors after the season.
Raynaud also had support inside the Kings’ locker room. DeMar DeRozan backed him for a spot throughout the year, praising his adaptability and work ethic. DeRozan said he was angry when Raynaud didn’t make the Rising Stars Game during All Star Weekend, and he also said he’s enjoyed helping guide Raynaud and the rest of Sacramento’s young players.
Now Raynaud is getting another chance to develop alongside a new lead creator. With Darius Acuff Jr. serving as Sacramento’s lead ball handler, the two should fit well together, especially with Acuff’s pick-and-roll ability complementing Raynaud’s all-around game and his willingness to make the extra pass.
The FIBA qualifying games will also give Raynaud more time to sharpen his 3-point shot.
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