By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Mike James parted ways with AS Monaco to enter unrestricted free agency following the conclusion of his historic five-year tenure with La Roca Team. His departure was officially confirmed on Tuesday.
Before this formal exit and the end of an era at Monaco, the former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Most Valuable Player was heavily linked to rival powerhouse FC Barcelona, but those failed negotiations have now dissolved into a potential legal battle between the two parties.
The Portland native closed a highly decorated chapter after guiding Monaco to a dramatic championship series comeback over Paris to secure the 2025–26 Betclic Elite championship.
5 saisons, une empreinte indélébile : l’histoire de la Roca Team ne s’écrira jamais sans Mike James. 🇲🇨👑
👑 Merci pour les émotions. Merci pour les moments qui resteront gravés. Merci d’avoir contribué à faire grandir notre club. Nous te souhaitons le meilleur pour la suite. pic.twitter.com/3lgmgFa7Iq
— AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) June 30, 2026
This final campaign highlighted his profound resilience, as he consistently delivered stellar numbers while navigating both a difficult hamstring injury and an internal team suspension. The veteran of 362 EuroLeague appearances leaves the club as Europe’s premier offensive threat, celebrated as the EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer.
During his unforgettable stint with Monaco, James achieved legendary status by becoming a three-time French champion and a two-time Coupe de France champion, among more domestic titles, alongside guiding the squad to two Final Four appearances. The team expressed its deep gratitude on social media.
The lethal scorer, who previously logged 58 games in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, and Brooklyn Nets, is now shifting his immediate attention to international duty. He headlines the Team USA roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, while simultaneously evaluating his next destination at the club level.
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