Mike James will stay with Monaco through the 2025-26 season despite EuroLeague and NBA interest, following a resolved dispute.
EuroLeague star Mike James has committed to remain with AS Monaco, returning for the start of the 2025-26 season despite offseason interest from the EuroLeague and the NBA, sources told BasketNews.
Mike James
Mike James
Team: AS Monaco
Position: PG
Age: 35
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 84 kg
Birth place: Oregon, United States of America
The 35-year-old guard had a dispute with the Monaco club after an off-court incident during the French League playoffs, but the sides resolved the issue ahead of the season.
James drew strong EuroLeague interest and was on the NBA's radar this offseason. However, he remains committed to his contract with AS Monaco, which runs through 2027.
During the 2024–25 season, James averaged 15.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals in 29 minutes per game, helping lead Monaco to its first-ever EuroLeague championship game.
He elevated his play in the playoffs, posting 16.6 points on 55.2% shooting from two and 41.4% from three, along with 2.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists over five games against Barcelona.
Credit SIPA/Scanpix
In the semifinal win over Olympiacos, James delivered a standout performance with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. He followed it up with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in the title game loss to Fenerbahce.
James generated 28.7 points per game through his scoring and assists, ranking third in the EuroLeague season behind MVP Kendrick Nunn (30.9) and MVP finalist TJ Shorts (36.9), according to BBallytics.
James ranked second in the EuroLeague during the playoffs, increasing his impact to 31.2 points generated per game. He was the most impactful player at the Final Four in Abu Dhabi, creating 27.0 points per game through scoring and assists.
After earning the EuroLeague MVP award in 2024, the all-time leading scorer was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team in 2025.
James has been a key figure in Monaco's highly successful four-year run in the EuroLeague.
Since their league debut in 2021, the team has reached the playoffs every season, advancing to two Final Fours. In the other two seasons, they fell just short, losing in a five-game playoff series.
## AS Monaco
Position Player
PG Matthew Strazel
PG Nick Calathes
PG Mike James
PG/SG David Michineau (story)
SG/PG Elie Okobo
SG/PG Nemanja Nedovic (story)
SG Jordan Loyd
SG Juhann Begarin
SG/SF Terry Tarpey
SF/PF Alpha Diallo
SF/PF Jaron Blossomgame
PF Yoan Makoundou (story)
PF Nikola Mirotic (story)
C Kevarrius Hayes (story)
C Daniel Theis
C Donatas Motiejunas
Coach Vassilis Spanoulis (signed until 2026 +1)
Expiring contracts Georgios Papagiannis (won't return), Mam Jaiteh (won't return)
Rumored to leave Donatas Motiejunas, Nick Calathes, Vitto Brown (won't return), Petr Cornelie (won't return)
Interested
More Monaco transfer news:
Donatas Urbonas
Donatas Urbonas is an award-winning Lithuanian basketball journalist, recognized as the best sports journalist in Lithuania in 2016 and the top basketball journalist in 2018. A Vilnius University journalism graduate, Urbonas has reported on major global sports events, including the Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympics, FIBA World Cups, EuroBaskets, NBA Summer League, and NBA Draft.
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