Throughout the 2024-25 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, questions, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.
Maxime Raynaud
Position: Center
College: Stanford
Class: Senior
Height/Weight: 7'1", 250 lbs
Birthdate: April 7, 2003
Previous Team: Nanterre 92 (France)
Player Overview
Maxime Raynaud is a skilled 7'1" big man who blends shooting ability, rim protection, and rebounding at a high level. His proficiency in pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations makes him a valuable offensive weapon, and his three-point shooting showcases his ability to stretch the floor. Defensively, Raynaud is an effective shot-blocker, using his length to contest shots and anchor the paint. His rebounding production—ranking among the top in the NCAA—further highlights his impact as a presence inside.
However, Raynaud’s reliance on perimeter shooting rather than asserting himself in the paint raises concerns about his interior scoring. Questions remain about his ability to defend on the perimeter and handle NBA-level physicality. If he can add strength and improve his defensive mobility, Raynaud has the tools to be a productive modern NBA big.
"A 7-footer who can protect the rim and space the floor will always raise eyebrows—needless to say, Raynaud is an intriguing prospect." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
Strengths
Elite Pick-and-Roll/Pop Threat: Excels in both pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations, maximizing his size and shooting ability.
Stretch Big Ability: He is a legitimate floor-spacing threat at 7’1”, as he shoots the ball well from outside.
Soft Touch Around the Rim: Finishes well with finesse, displaying good touch on shots near the basket.
Defensive Presence: Uses his length effectively, contesting shots and protecting the rim.
High-Level Rebounder: Ranks among the top rebounders in the NCAA, controlling the boards at a substantial rate.
Concerns
Settles for Jumpers Too Often: Needs to utilize his size more inside instead of relying heavily on perimeter shooting.
Physicality & Strength: He must add strength to handle the more physical bigs he will face at the next level.
Defensive Mobility: Questions remain about his ability to defend quicker players on switches.
Questions
Can he develop a more aggressive interior game to complement his shooting?
How well will his defensive mobility translate at the NBA level, especially against quicker bigs?
Will he continue to improve his physicality to handle NBA-level contact?
Can he effectively guard perimeter players on switch screens?
Bottom Line
Maxime Raynaud possesses a rare combination of size, shooting touch, and defensive presence, making him an intriguing NBA prospect. His ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim, and rebound at a high level fits the mold of a modern big. However, improving his physicality, interior scoring, and perimeter defense will be key to his success at the next level. If he continues to develop in these areas, Raynaud has the potential to carve out a meaningful role in the NBA.