BREAKING: Stanford center Maxime Raynaud removes name from transfer portal

The Stanford roster for the 2024-25 season just got a major boost on Friday following a decision by star center Maxime Raynaud.

The Frenchmen who was ranked as the No. 1 player in the transfer portal has since decided to return to Stanford according to a San Francisco Chronicle report, despite generating interest from programs all over the country. This is a huge retention for new head coach Kyle Smith, who is inheriting a roster that has lost its entire starting unit and nearly all of the rotation to the portal or graduation.

Mar 3, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) shoots over

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Despite Stanford having another down year this past season under now-fired head coach Jerod Haase, Raynaud had his best season on the Farm. He was named the Pac-12's Most Improved Player, and earned All-Pac-12 second-team honors. He averaged career-highs in every major category with 15.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, while shooting 56% from the field and 36% from three.

Stanford fans are now hopeful that Smith can convince former five-star Andrej Stojakovic to return as well.

Raynaud was a part of my perfect portal class for Stanford which you can check out here.