Why NBA Rookie of the Month award could mean more for Kings’ Maxime Raynaud
Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month on Thursday.
Up next for the 7-foot-1 center from France could be a prestigious spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team.
Raynaud averaged 17.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists over 15 games in March. He shot 59.5% from the field, 44.4% from 3-point range and 78.5% at the free-throw line.
Raynaud is one of only five players to earn Rookie of the Month honors this season, joining Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe and Kon Knueppel. Flagg, who has won the award three times in the Western Conference, was the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Harper was the No. 2 pick. Edgecombe was the No. 3 pick. Knueppel, who has won the award four times in the Eastern Conference, was the No. 4 pick.
The Kings selected Raynaud out of Stanford in the second round with the 42nd overall pick. Raynaud went into training camp as Sacramento’s third center behind Domantas Sabonis and Drew Eubanks, but he has wildly exceeded expectations.
Raynaud quickly replaced Eubanks as the backup center and ultimately took over as the starter with Sabonis missing most of the season due to injuries. Raynaud has appeared in 69 games with 51 starts, averaging 11.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
Raynaud leads all rookies with 17 double-doubles. Flagg is second with 12 followed by Derik Queen (11), Edgecombe (7), Knueppel (7) and Cedric Coward (7).
Kings coach Doug Christie was recently asked to assess Raynaud’s performance relative to expectations and his draft position.
“He smashed through the ceiling,” Christie said. “First of all, the kid is ready, and he wants the opportunity to continue to improve. Sometimes you get an opportunity and you’re not ready to seize it, but he has seized the opportunity.”
