In a lowly season for the Sacramento Kings, some of their young talents have provided a much-needed bright spot in a dull year.
On the first Thursday of April, the NBA announced its March Rookies of the Month for each conference. Maxime Raynaud, whom the Kings selected 42nd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, earned the Western Conference honors.
Philadelphia guard VJ Edgecombe, the third overall pick, was selected for the Eastern Conference.
Dealing with a handful of injuries this season, including season-ending blows to Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Drew Eubanks (finger), opened up earlier opportunities for Maxime Raynaud than anyone expected. He’s capitalized on that opportunity by tallying notable statistical lines.
Starting in 51 of the 69 games he’s appeared in, the seven-foot has averaged 11.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 56.5 percent from the field. Among rookies, that ranks him eighth in points and fifth in rebounds.
Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud and Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in March. pic.twitter.com/pjIDWAfg4E
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 2, 2026
More on Maxime Raynaud
Over the last 25+ games, the Sacramento rookie has gotten significantly more opportunities to play through mistakes and learn on the fly. In the month of March, for which he earned the Rookie of the Month title, he recorded 17.9 points and 8.5 rebounds and converted 59.5 percent of his attempts.
He also managed six instances of recording 20-point showings, which include two 30-point nights. The release also highlighted his rookie-leading six double-doubles during that time frame.
Maxime Raynaud seems well within the race for an All-Rookie team, but whether it’s first or second still seems up for debate. First overall pick Cooper Flagg won the first three Western Conference honors as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, while second overall pick Dylan Harper with the Spurs won in February.
In the East, Kon Knueppel, the fourth overall selection, has cleaned swept through the Eastern Conference every month until Edgecombe this month.
Not only does that make Raynaud the first second-rounder to earn Rookie of the Month this season, but he’s also the first player selected outside the top four.
The other current/former Sacramento players who have earned that are Keegan Murray (x2), Tyrese Haliburton (x2), Ben McLemore, Buddy Hield, Isaiah Thomas (x2), and Tyreke Evans (x2).
While that list shows the variance that can still occur aside from a stellar rookie campaign, Ranyuad’s production has been encouraging for his future in the NBA. The second-round pick has been one of Sacramento’s brightest spots in an otherwise extremely dull season.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will return home for a two-game homestand that begins Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Sacramento is 0-2 against the Pelicans this season, including a 133-123 loss at Golden 1 Center on March 5th, in which Precious Achiuwa scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Friday, April 3rd vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, April 5th vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, April 7th @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, April 10th vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, April 12th @ Portland Trail Blazers – 5:30 PM PT
Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
