Maxime Raynaud named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for March
Maxime Raynaud is starting to carve out his place in French basketball history.
The Sacramento Kings center was named NBA Rookie of the Month for March — an announcement that puts him in a small, notable group, becoming just the fourth French player to earn that distinction.
Selected 42nd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Raynaud didn’t just flash potential over the past month — he produced, consistently and efficiently. Across 15 games, he put up 17.9 points on 59.5% shooting, along with 8.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 33 minutes per night. The real eyebrow-raiser? The shooting touch from deep — 44% from three — a number that hints at a much broader offensive ceiling than your typical interior presence.
For a second-round pick, this isn’t just a good stretch. It’s the kind of month that shifts perception — from rotation piece to something a lot more intriguing.
Statistics that place Raynaud among the elite rookies
Maxime Raynaud’s impact doesn’t stop at a strong March — it’s been building all season.
Across his rookie campaign, the Sacramento Kings big man has quietly climbed near the top of multiple categories: first in double-doubles (17), second in total rebounds (507), and third in field-goal percentage (56.5%). Add in 822 points — good for seventh among rookies — and you get a profile that’s as productive as it is consistent.
March just amplified everything. Raynaud logged six games with 20+ points, including two outings north of 30, the kind of stretch that forces attention. It also allowed him to take the baton in the Rookie of the Month race, following Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs, after Cooper Flagg had swept the first three awards of the season.
Out East, VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers took home the honor behind averages of 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, snapping the run of Kon Knueppel from the Charlotte Hornets.
With that, Raynaud joins a tight French circle — following Victor Wembanyama (three times), Alexandre Sarr, and Zaccharie Risacher (twice). And while Sacramento’s season hasn’t offered much collective success — sitting at 20–57, bottom of the West — Raynaud’s individual rise stands out. For a 2025 class still sorting itself out, he’s not just part of the conversation anymore — he’s one of its clearest surprises.
Comments (0)