The 2025 NBA Combine’s scrimmages are seemingly more cohesive than in year’s past, with several prospects standing out due to their selfless play, according to a team of NBA insiders. Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud was the most impactful standout of day two of the combine in ESPN’s view, showing impressive ball-handling, three-point shooting and facilitating at 7’0″.
After standing out during the first set of scrimmages that took place on day two, Raynaud elected to shut down scrimmaging for the third day of the combine, per Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman (Twitter link). After scoring 20 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes, Raynaud’s team must feel his draft stock is secure. He’s listed at No. 34 on ESPN’s best available list.
The ESPN crew identifies a long list of standouts, including UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg and Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford. Lendeborg looked strong on the defensive end, and it’s worth monitoring his status going forward given that he said he would need a firm promise to stay in the class. Pettiford, meanwhile, ended up as the leading scorer for the day with 23 points to go along with eight assists.
A pair of players from Australia’s NBL made their mark in scrimmages too, as Alex Toohey and Lachlan Olbrich held their own. Olbrich was a call-up from the G League Elite camp and scored 15 points while making all but one of his eight shot attempts.
We have more from the draft:
- Chinese center Hansen Yang came into the draft process a relative unknown by outsiders, but he’s making his mark at the combine. According to ESPN, Yang was also one of the top performers from day two, matching up and holding his own against Michigan big man Vladislav Goldin. Yang is taking in the draft process and expressed excitement about the opportunity he has in front of him, according to the AP’s Tim Reynolds. “He really feels happiness here,” Chris Liu, Yang’s interpreter, said. “And then, he’s really willing to compete with everyone and against everyone. He really enjoyed that.” Yang currently sits at No. 67 on ESPN’s best-available board.
- St. John’s guard RJ Luis said he’s “all-in” on the NBA draft, according to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello (Twitter link). Luis is technically still in the transfer portal but said he hasn’t spoken to any college coaches yet and isn’t thinking about that at the time. Luis averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds last year as a junior. Luis ranks 62nd on ESPN’s board.
- Florida State’s Jamir Watkins made a big impact on the third day of the combine, according to ESPN’s Jon Chepkevich (Twitter link). In the first scrimmage of the day, he recorded 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and five steals, helping himself showcase his two-way ability. He’s currently ranked No. 65 on ESPN’s big board.
Not at all surprised about Raynaud. The guy has a well developed offensive bag. He’s going to provide a lot of value for someone who takes him in the 20s.
He was playing barefoot? Odd choice but he’s going to the nba and I’m not. Seems like a good way to get injured. So much for that Stamford education lol
It means he measured a full 7’ standing barefoot.
It says he was facilitating barefoot…sounds like my neighbor making his famous bathtub wine lol tootsies lookin like Grimace
Maxime… Luka Garza or Quentin Post anyone see that? Wouldn’t be a bad value in the early 2nd round.
A lot of mock drafts have Maxime dropping to the 1st. I was hoping the Warriors could draft and then sign Brook Lopez to a minimum deal. The are both Stanford guys. Stanford’s mascot, oddly, is a tree. The marketing department would go crazy.