Maxime Raynaud is clearly not satisfied. Already elected player of the week in the ACC conference, from November 11 to 17, the Frenchman has not lowered his tone since. He was even the author of another huge performance on Saturday with Stanford University. Maxime Raynaud scored 32 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the Cardinal's success against Santa Clara (71-69). With this victory, Stanford continues its perfect start to the season (6-0), driven by its pivot in a state of grace.
The former Nanterrian, who then shared the JSF racket with Victor Wembanyama, made his size (2m16) and his talent speak against the Broncos of another Frenchman, Adama Bal.
Maxime Raynaud had already accumulated a double-double in the first period with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but was far too alone, while Stanford had only scored 27 points after 20 minutes!
Best rebounder in NCAA!
It took a strong end to the match, and a basket from Jaylen Blakes two seconds from the end for Maxime Raynaud's team to end up winning. The Habs finished 12/23 in shooting, including 2/3 from 3-point range, 10 offensive rebounds, but also 2 assists and 2 interceptions. The only downside was a 6/12 on free throws which could have been costly in such a close match.
He is now four consecutive games above 20 points scored, the second above 30 after having spent 33 points at UC Davis a week earlier. His new rebound harvest, each time above 10 holds since the start of the season, now gives him the rank of best rebounder in the entire NCAA (12.8 rebounds, to go with his 22.8 points). Enough to justify a little more having stayed at Stanford, after being placed in the transfer portal for a while, before the Cardinal changed conferences and joined the ACC, much more exposed with big names like Duke, North Carolina or Syracuse.
Enough to hope to slip into the 2025 Draft? In any case, Maxime Raynaud is in his last year of university, having entered his senior season.
