A Scout’s Eyes: An In-Person Scout of a Future Top 60 Prospect at Tulane-GMU| Stanford's Maxime Raynaud, the Hidden Gem Player of the Week
Jams recaps his scouting trip to see Tulane’s Kam Williams and a host of intriguing prospects in the Tulane-George Mason matchup. And, this week’s Hidden Gem Player of the Week, Maxime Raynaud!
Nothing beats getting out to the gym and putting eyes on prospects. I had the opportunity to see Tulane take on George Mason, which was highlighted by a future Top 60 prospect in Kam Williams.
In this week’s edition of A Scout’s Eyes, I’ll recap my thoughts on Williams, the other standout prospects in the game, and give out the Hidden Gem Award to Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud, who has quietly been one of the best players in the country.
Tulane-George Mason Notes: A Look at a Future Top 60 Prospect
I was thrilled to get an in-person look at Tulane freshman Kam Williams. On film and through stats, Williams pops as a long 3-and-D wing (39.7% three-point shooter on 5.8 attempts per game, 3.2 stocks per game).
His 6’8” listing appeared accurate and I’m even more encouraged that he’ll measure out with plus length whenever his official measurements are recorded. He has a lean and wiry frame with some hints of mature muscle and definition to it. Adding in his fairly broad shoulders, Williams is equipped with a projectable NBA frame, and he should be able to pack on the appropriate amount of size and strength over the next several years.
Williams finished the game with six points, all from beyond the arc (2-5 3PA). Both of the makes were catch-and-shoots, one coming off movement and the other from NBA range. All of his three-point attempts were good looks with every one on target outside of his first one.
After getting a deflection, he surprisingly passed up a three-point attempt, which prompted the bench and Coach Hunter to implore him to shoot. Shortly after, he was on the bench and received words of encouragement and instruction from volunteer assistant coach RJ Hunter. Williams appeared to welcome and absorb the feedback before re-entering the game.
Defensively, he leveraged his length and height as a defensive playmaker and to apply pressure at the top of Tulane’s zone for stretches. The rangy wing blocked a step back three and got in the passing lanes a couple of times for deflections.
Although Williams does not project to be a one-and-done at this point, he's a candidate to be a late riser considering his NBA wing size, three-point shooting, defensive potential, and clear NBA role with upside. If he does return for his sophomore season, he’s an easy sophomore leap candidate. Williams should be tagged as a real NBA wing prospect with all of the ingredients to become a Top 60 caliber player.
A transfer from Indiana, Kaleb Banks is thriving as he’s receiving his first real chance at minutes and usage with Tulane. He’s averaging 15.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 stocks in 32 minutes per game while shooting 43.2% from deep (4.9 3PA/G) after knocking down two more triples against George Mason. If his breakout season continues, I can see him declaring for feedback then returning next season and becoming a Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT) invitee that NBA teams have interest in as a 3-and-D wing.
Rowan Brumbaugh is another transfer for Tulane who’s finding success in a new environment. He’s taking a step forward this season after beginning to find his way with Georgetown last season. He committed a couple of careless turnovers, including getting caught in the air before throwing it away, but his slick pick-and-roll flashes continue to keep me invested.
Redshirt freshman Tyler Ringgold made the most of his five minutes on the floor and is a long-term prospect worth tracking. His four points came by hitting a pull-up and a baseline catch-and-shoot jumper. The jumper looked fluid and comfortable. Listed at 6’8” and 215 pounds, Ringgold possesses NBA wing size on a very projectable frame.
On the George Mason side, Darius Maddox and Zack Anderson lead the way as my top two George Mason prospects. Both bring a coveted NBA skill as career 40% three-point shooters with volume. Each connected on 3-of-6 shots from three, with Maddox tying a game-high of 17 points. Maddox and Anderson should be in the mix for PIT invites this season. Because of his NBA wing size at 6’7”, Anderson might be the more likely candidate.
Brayden O’Connor was the game’s co-leading scorer with his teammate Darius Maddox as they led George Mason to the 76-64 win. The 6’4” guard was at his best getting downhill with his sturdy frame and offered playmaking glimpses. A transfer up from UMass Lowell, O’Connor is someone that I’ll continue to track-especially as he continues to get more acclimated to the Atlantic Ten.
Hidden Gem Player of the Week: Maxime Raynaud | Stanford | Senior | Big
Against Utah Valley (12/3): 14 points (7-19 FGA, 0-4 3PA), 17 rebounds (three offensive), three assists, and two steals
Against California (12/7): 20 points (8-15 FGA, 4-6 3PA), three rebounds, two assists, and five blocks
Does a 7’1” big that’s shooting 40% from three (4.5 3PA/G) and generating 2.5 stocks per game pique your interest?
Raynaud’s stellar season continued with a magnificent week that saw him snag a career-high tying 17 rebounds. Then, he put together one of the better single-game displays of his ultimate appeal as a floor stretching big with touch on multiple levels who can offer capable rim protection.
After winning the PAC-12’s Most Improved Player last season, the Stanford star is making another leap as a senior. He’s leading the ACC in scoring at 22.1 points per game (eight in the nation) and is second in rebounds with 11.3 rebounds per game (fourth in the nation).
Raynaud deserves more attention in the ACC and National Player of the Year conversations alongside Top 60 discussions. With conference play upon us and Raynaud having resume game opportunities against the ACC blue bloods, he seems like a real potential late riser. His blend of size, shooting, rim protection, and improved rebounding should have evaluators watching him closely.
Buzzer Beaters
Kasparas Jakucionis has been fantastic this season with an exciting combination of size, feel, shotmaking, and playmaking wizardry. I’m very curious where playmaking handlers with size and shotmaking upside like Jakucionis, Egor Demin, and Ben Saraf all end up on big boards/draft day and what people believe are the separators between them. If you missed Rucker’s piece on Kasparas, I recommend checking it out here.
Could Kam Jones be selected in the lottery? He’s a dynamic shotmaker and legit shooter who’s taken a real step as a playmaker with more opportunity as a lead guard, with Tyler Kolek being drafted to the Knicks. Provides valuable on and off-ball role versatility alongside defensive tools. He brings an impactful floor with upside and is someone who can be a Day One contributor in the rotation.
We should always be patient with prospects—especially as we continue to gain larger sample sizes and add more pieces to a prospect’s puzzle. I’m keeping this in mind, particularly with prospects like Khaman Maluach where I’m really wrestling with the idea/theory of a raw prospect versus their short and long-term projections. Rowan’s piece on Maluach here has been an appreciated resource for me as I decipher Maluach’s projection.