AS Monaco Basketball loses Mike James, the greatest scorer in EuroLeague history, at a time when the club is going through a financial and administrative crisis. While the American joins Efes Istanbul, the Roca Team is still trying to secure its future in Betclic Élite with a takeover project expected in the coming days.
The Mike James chapter is closing for AS Monaco Basketball. Efes Istanbul officially announced on Saturday the arrival of the 35-year-old American point guard for next season. The greatest scorer in EuroLeague history has signed for one season, with an additional year as an option.
Arriving on the Rock in 2021, Mike James deeply marked the history of the Roca Team. The American point guard won three French championship titles, in 2023, 2024 and 2026, as well as two French Cups, in 2023 and 2026. The European journey is also remarkable with two EuroLeague Final Four appearances, a third place in 2023 and a final in 2025. An individual distinction completes this record with the EuroLeague regular season MVP trophy in 2024.
In Istanbul, Mike James will reunite with Matthew Strazel, a former partner in the Monegasque colors. This departure comes at a particularly delicate time for AS Monaco, facing an economic crisis that is disrupting the squad.
A hoped-for takeover while the squad disperses
Financial difficulties continue to weigh on the Principality club. Rejected on first instance for its Betclic Élite commitment, the Roca Team is still trying to avoid payment default and demotion.
The debt reaches eight million euros, to which are added the 16 million euros advanced by the National Financing Company since March to allow the club to finish the season. An amendment now pushes back the deadline for this debt to July 31st.
At the same time, several creditors are beginning to be reimbursed. The BeoBasket agency, the club’s main creditor, notably received part of the expected sums. These payments fuel hope for a favorable outcome to negotiations underway with a group of American investors.
According to several sources, discussions are now in their final phase. The takeover project is led by former NBA All-Star Jamal Mashburn. A quick conclusion would allow the future buyers to prepare the appeal before the French Basketball Federation scheduled for July 20th, before a new court hearing set for July 31st.
However, sporting reconstruction is becoming more complicated by the day. After the departures of Mike James, Matthew Strazel, Elie Okobo, Jaron Blossomgame and Alpha Diallo, the squad loses several leaders of the French championship title.
The case of Alpha Diallo remains closely monitored. Having left to join the Dubai club after five seasons in Monaco, the American-Guinean winger is attracting strong interest from the Denver Nuggets, according to various media reports. Elected best defender of the EuroLeague this season after winning the same award in Betclic Élite in 2025 and 2026, the 29-year-old player has a clause allowing him to join the NBA until July 15th.
The coming days promise to be decisive for AS Monaco Basketball. The club’s future now depends as much on the success of the takeover project as on its ability to maintain a place in Betclic Élite before the start of the 2026-2027 season.
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