Maxime Raynaud's return to Stanford has meant so much to him and the program

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Maxime Raynaud sprinted across the court and in practically no time had triumphantly picked up a 6-year-old boy named Henry and heaved the young fan onto his shoulders before running through Maples Pavilion with an arm in the air and mouth agape.

Equally startled and overjoyed, the first-grader suddenly had an even better view of Stanford’s celebration alongside the 7-foot-1 Raynaud and his teammates after the Cardinal held off N.C. State for a 74-73 win on Feb. 8.

Henry brought quite the story back to school that Monday, too.

“I’ll tell them I’m famous, and I went to a Stanford game, a basketball game in college and my favorite player at Stanford, I got to meet him and he scooped me up and we won and he put me on his shoulders,” the boy said. “I thought it was kind of fun. I thought he was going to make me high-five the other team.”

A lifetime memory, for sure.

And to think that Raynaud might have walked away from Stanford and started fresh somewhere else for his senior season. He seriously considered it. The French star had entered his name in the transfer portal once former coach Jerod Haase was dismissed last spring and athletic director Bernard Muir hired Kyle Smith away from Washington State to be the Cardinal’s new coach.

“When one coaching staff is on the go and then another one is here, there's this period of about a month where you don't have anyone to talk to, anyone to turn to,” Raynaud said.

He thought about it for a while. He chatted with Smith, sat in on team gatherings to learn more about the program's direction and values, then ultimately changed his mind and stayed put. Raynaud is so glad he did, and so are his happy teammates and coaches.

The honest communication is really all Raynaud needed to make up his mind.

“Maxime returning to Stanford has been incredible for college basketball, Stanford, himself and me. He has made my life easy with his leadership through this coaching transition,” Smith said. “He has helped establish a culture that will thrive beyond his time here. He is a four-year player who leaves an incredible legacy, and his contributions in the community, classroom as well as on the court will be remembered by Stanford forever.”

Projected as a potential first-round NBA draft pick, Raynaud is averaging 20.0 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 blocks and a steal per game heading into his final scheduled home game at Maples Pavilion — Senior Day against SMU on Saturday.

It took time to find his way at Stanford in a new country and with the language barrier — but all of that seems so long ago now. The Cardinal are in their first season of conference realignment and part of the Atlantic Coast Conference, so everything feels different.

“I’m having a blast this year. I couldn’t happier to play basketball with the guys that we have around right now,” Raynaud said. “Going to the ACC makes me feel like a freshman again just because new schools, new travel, everything. It’s a really nice experience, I really enjoy it.”

The fans are loving watching Raynaud, who has certainly put himself on the map with a stellar senior season.

“Let’s go Maxime!”

“I love you Maxime!”

“MVP! MVP!”

The lanky forward hears the constant cheers and support from the student section and others at Maples Pavilion, and it means so much.

And even with his initial trepidation about the coaching change, Raynaud has realized this has always been the perfect program for him.

“It’s been super special just because of the guys that make the program, whether it’s the coaching staff or the players,” he said. “I really believe we’re in a special place, but the people make the place. I couldn’t be more grateful to play with guys like this. ... I think it’s the best place for me to perform, have fun and enjoy my last year of college. I couldn’t be happier to come back here.”

With his spirit and energy, Raynaud is leaving his mark on so many.

And Henry’s father, Tommy Latala, knows he and his son will long cherish and remember Raynaud lifting the boy up and running him around the arena.

“This," Latala said, "is going to be tough to top.”

AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud talks to reporters during a press conference, following the team's victory over California in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) and celebrates with teammates and Alex Yano, director of basketball operations, inside the locker room after the team's victory over California in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) douses head coach Kyle Smith, wearing glasses, with water in the locker room after the team's victory over California in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) is kissed by his mother Vanessa Raynaud after the team's victory against California in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) celebrates with fans after the team's victory against California in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) reacts after a defensive stop against California during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud, rear, shoots a 3-point basket over California center Mady Sissoko during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud, left, shoots a free throw during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud, center, breaks a huddle during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud looks up while standing on the court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) talks with guard Benny Gealer (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

California forward Rytis Petraitis (31) watches as Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud, rear, defends against California center Mady Sissoko during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) looks for an open teammate while defended by California center Mady Sissoko, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) and teammates listen to the national anthem before an NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) is introduced for the start of an NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Here's how much the NBA Cup semifinals against Oklahoma City meant to San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama: He grabbed the ball after a missed Thunder shot in the final moments, squeezed it and screamed in delight.

Technically, it was just another game.

It sure didn't seem that way.

Welcome back, Victor. The Spurs are headed to the NBA Cup championship game against the New York Knicks, after knocking off the defending NBA champion Thunder 111-109 on Saturday night in the tournament semifinals — just the second loss for OKC in 26 games this season.

“This is not a typical regular-season game," Wembanyama said. "We knew if that if we lose, we’re out. And you know, some people are built for these moments. Some aren’t. But we definitely are.”

The win came in Wembanyama's return from a 12-game absence caused by a left calf strain. He finished with 22 points and nine rebounds in 21 minutes — coming off the bench for the first time in his NBA career.

There won't be too many more times when he doesn't start. Wembanyama wondered aloud after the game if someone can win Sixth Man and MVP in the same season, with a big smile across his face.

“As soon as Vic came in, he had the impact that we needed,” the Spurs' Devin Vassell said.

There were plenty of signs of emotion in the final minutes from Wembanyama, indicating that this indeed wasn't just another game.

A fallaway that turned into a falling-down shot by Wembanyama put the Spurs up by six with 9:49 left. He got fouled by Oklahoma City's Cason Wallace the next time down the floor in one of those intentional, but not flagrant, don't-give-up-a-dunk fouls, and flexed his arms toward Wallace after the play.

The Spurs bench roared in delight — again, not the sort of scene typically associated with a regular-season contest in December.

“It is one of 82, but to your point, there are always circumstances and contexts,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “And that doesn’t mean that everybody quantifies them the same, but I do think that our guys have been excited about the Cup. I think our guys are excited to play really good teams. ... When you play the Oklahoma City Thunder, you’re getting the league’s best. And we are a competitive group and we want to continue to challenge ourselves to continue to get better. There’s no better way to do that but to play the best.”

Wembanyama scored in the lane with 2:32 left to put the Spurs up for good, then helped finish off the win by going 4 for 6 from the foul line in the final 78 seconds.

His impact on the game was immediate. Oklahoma City led 31-20 after the first quarter; Wembanyama checked in for the first time to open the second quarter and everything quickly changed.

He got an offensive rebound and scored on his opening possession. By the end of his first minute, he had grabbed two more rebounds and had an assist to set up a 3-pointer. There was one play where he lost his dribble and then sent his 7-foot-4 frame sprawling to the floor to dive on the ball, which he gathered and then passed to Julian Champagnie for another 3-pointer.

He played 7:19 of the first half. In that time, the Spurs outscored the Thunder by 20 points — 9-2 in his first stint, 15-2 in his second stint, 24-4 combined. That's right, a 24-4 margin over a team that had a 24-1 record entering the night, outscored teams by a record average last season and are on pace to smash that record this season.

But those minutes set a new tone and gave the Spurs a chance. Now, they'll be back in Las Vegas on Tuesday with a chance at winning the NBA Cup. And Thunder coach Mark Daigneault summed up Wembanyama's impact with one word: “Huge,” he said.

“Credit to him and them," Daigneault said. “I thought for stretches of the game, they played really well without him, too. I didn’t think it was isolated to him. I thought that was a great team win for them. They won as a team. A lot of their guys played well, but he certainly had an impact on the game.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) commands the ball near Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the second half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to scoring in the second half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) lands on the court during the second half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) stands on court before film crews after playing in an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)