Maxime Raynaud, Stanford’s 7-foot center, turned heads at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago with an eye-opening performance that has scouts buzzing. The Frenchman dominated Wednesday’s scrimmage with a versatile display of skills that showcased why he might be the draft’s fastest-rising big man.
NBA front offices that had Raynaud pegged as an early second-round prospect are now scrambling to reassess. With 20 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in just 25 minutes of action, Raynaud displayed the modern skill set that teams covet in today’s positionless NBA.
NBA Draft Combine Full Box Score
NBA draft guru Jonathan Givony shared the official box score from Game 2 of the combine on X, highlighting Raynaud’s standout performance.
“Outstanding performance from Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists,” Givony tweeted as Raynaud led all scorers in Team Williams’ contest against Team Mueller.
Boxscore from Game 2 of the NBA Combine.
Outstanding performance from Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists.
Ryan Nembhard 13 points, 8 assists, 1 turnovers.
All-around performance from Micah Peavy with 12 points, 8 rebounds and tremendous defense. pic.twitter.com/yTWl3SpX7x
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 14, 2025
The detailed statistics reveal Raynaud’s efficiency, shooting 7-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range, while adding 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. His 24:37 minutes of playing time produced not just scoring but well-rounded contributions with three assists and two blocks, demonstrating his two-way potential.
Standing over 7’0″ barefoot with a 9’2″ standing reach and weighing 237 pounds, Raynaud’s measurements put him in elite NBA center territory. His physical profile compares favorably to established NBA centers like Jakob Poeltl, but scouts are particularly intrigued by his perimeter-oriented skill set that’s rare for players his size.
What separates Raynaud from other draft-eligible big men is his combination of size and skill. He showcased three-point shooting, ball handling capabilities, and passing vision from the perimeter while maintaining traditional center responsibilities like rebounding and rim protection.
Rising Draft Stock and Addressing Concerns
Defense was previously considered Raynaud’s biggest weakness, but his combine performance may have silenced those criticisms. He showed significant improvement anchoring the paint, altering shots at the rim and even displaying the mobility to hedge ball screens beyond the arc.
“Every team in the NBA is looking for 7-footers who can stretch the floor, pass and hold their own defensively and on the glass, so Raynaud did very well for himself not sitting out the scrimmages like several of his peers projected as early second-round picks did. Teams in the first round told us they are monitoring his strong play and will surely have even more interest in him moving forward” ESPN reported on May 15, 2025.
Mock drafts are already reflecting Raynaud’s surge up draft boards. ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Wasserman now projects Raynaud at No. 29 to the Phoenix Suns, while For The Win’s latest mock has him going 28th overall to the Boston Celtics, both firmly in the first round.
Unlike some peers who opted to skip the scrimmages to protect their draft status, Raynaud’s willingness to compete has paid dividends. His performance showcased both skill and competitiveness, two traits NBA teams value tremendously when making draft selections with guaranteed first-round money at stake.
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Raynaud’s standout showing proves that the combine still matters in prospect evaluation. While many draft boards are largely set before Chicago, exceptional performances can dramatically alter a player’s trajectory. With the draft just weeks away, Raynaud has positioned himself to hear his name called much earlier than anticipated on draft night.
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