**La Roca Team has confirmed the departure of its center Mam Jaiteh, two days after recruiting Kevarrius Hayes. Point guard Mike James also returns after several weeks of suspension.**
Players are coming and going at the Roca Team. The club officially announced on Wednesday, July 2, the departure of Mam Jaiteh, [two days after the arrival of Kevarrius Hayes](https://www.nicepremium.fr/sports/kevarrius-hayes-a-monaco-une-bonne-recrue-pour-la-roca-team/) for the same position. Meanwhile, American Mike James has been reintegrated into the team, still under contract until 2027. Monaco has indeed begun its preparations for the next season.
## The Departure of Mam Jaiteh
A major blow for the Roca Team. Despite the final defeat, French center [Mam Jaiteh](https://asmonaco.basketball/team/profile.php?ID=29230) was one of the key players in the Betclic Elite playoffs, particularly in the final against Paris Basketball. While rumors have been circulating for several weeks, confirmed by the player himself, it was on July 2 that Monaco officially announced the departure of its player.
“In the paint, a major player in Monaco’s adventures in recent seasons and an exemplary soldier, Mam Jaiteh leaves the Roca Team,” were the club’s words on social media. A few days ago, [after the defeat in the Betclic Elite final against Paris](https://www.nicepremium.fr/actualite/finale-betclic-elite-la-roca-team-sincline-dans-le-match-5-et-laisse-le-titre-au-paris-basketball/), the French player also posted a message on his personal social networks: “This match had a special taste for me… Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who was there. You will remain in my history.” An end contrasted by Monaco’s failures on both the French and European scenes.
It is a significant loss for Monaco, albeit offset by the recruitment of Kevarrius Hayes coming from Paris. For Mam Jaiteh, the future should be written at Dubai BC, promoted to the Euroleague for the next season.
## The Return of Mike James
[Missing in the Betclic Elite final due to suspension](https://www.nicepremium.fr/sports/suspension-de-mike-james-confusion-au-sein-de-la-roca-team/), exiled in the United States waiting for a return to the Principality, the case of [Mike James](https://asmonaco.basketball/team/profile.php?ID=29230) was quite unclear in recent weeks. Announced at Olympiakos, the top scorer of the Euroleague eventually returned to the Roca Team.
“Even though Mike couldn’t participate in the French Championship playoffs, his commitment to AS Monaco Basket never wavered. He has always supported the club, just as the club has supported him. He remains under contract until 2027 and will return to the field for the 2025-26 season once cleared by the medical team. The events of recent weeks have not altered the foundations upon which AS Monaco Basket is built. Loyalty, trust, and shared ambition continue to define the project. Mike James has always embodied these values and remains an essential part of the team’s long-term vision. The club came close to realizing its dream this season, but the journey remains unfinished. It is now time to focus on the future,” declared the club.
A positive return for the Roca Team, which should be able to count on its American point guard next season. A new season with the same goal, to win the Euroleague title.
