Mike James to stay in Monaco: AS Monaco ends uncertainty with diplomatic statement
Betclic ELITE - Mike James, under contract with AS Monaco until 2027, will continue his journey on the Rock. After weeks of silence and a notable absence during the Betclic ELITE finals, the club has released a statement confirming the return of its superstar.
Photo Credit : Sébastien Grasset
AS Monaco has finally lifted the veil on Mike James’s (6’1″, 34 years old) situation. In a statement released Monday evening, the Principality club confirmed the official reinstatement of the American point guard, who had disappeared during the Betclic ELITE playoffs against Paris Basketball. A consensual declaration, without real new information, but which marks the end of a saga that frustrated many supporters.
Mike James Officially Reinstated to AS Monaco Basket
In light of recent media speculation, AS Monaco Basket would like to provide clarity regarding the status of Mike James.@TheNatural_05 is officially and fully reinstated to the Roca Team roster.
During the EuroLeague Final… pic.twitter.com/UflqTtu2mO
— AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) June 30, 2025
Return confirmed, but few explanations
Officially, Mike James is « fully reinstated to the Roca Team roster. » Injured in his forearm during the EuroLeague Final Four – which Monaco lost in the final against Fenerbahçe – the American point guard was then « temporarily removed from team activities following an off-court incident. » This episode, according to the club, required « an internal investigation. »
According to several sources, the player was allegedly involved in a physical altercation at a restaurant in the Principality, days after the end of the European campaign. AS Monaco indicates that « these rumors were unfounded » and that they « affected both Mike and the club at a time when both parties remained fully committed to each other and were working to resolve the matter properly. » A tense situation that continued until his departure for the United States during the Betclic ELITE finals, which Monaco eventually lost 3-2 to Paris Basketball. An unexplained absence at the time and never commented on by either the player or his club… until this Monday.
A season without titles, an intact objective
Six days after the end of Monaco’s season, marked by a series of painful defeats (Leaders Cup, French Cup, EuroLeague, and championship), the Principality club has issued a statement announcing MJ’s return to their roster next season and clearing him of responsibility regarding this altercation. « After thorough investigation, it was confirmed that Mike was involuntarily involved while trying to protect others. The matter is now fully resolved and everyone is looking forward to the future. » A future that AS Monaco hopes will be better than this past season. While the Roca Team shone on the European stage, they finished without a trophy, and Mike James, a central element of the project, was sorely missed during the final series against Paris.
Despite this tumultuous end to the season, the club reminds that « Mike James’s commitment to AS Monaco Basket has never changed » and that « both parties remain united around the values of loyalty, trust and shared ambition. » It is specified that the American « remains under contract until 2027 and will return to the court for the 2025-2026 season once cleared by the medical staff. »
Objective: finish what was started
President Aleksej Fedoricsev’s statement concludes this long communication with hopeful words: « We look forward to seeing Mike back in Monaco. Healthy, focused, and more determined than ever. The team came very close this season, but the mission remains the same. »
It remains to be seen whether recent tensions will leave lasting marks, or if this new chapter will lead to a sporting revenge. AS Monaco, ambitious and under pressure, will need Mike James at 100% – both on the court and in his collective commitment – to hope to achieve its European Holy Grail. Meanwhile, the club can now focus on building its future roster, with an increased budget and the expected departure of several contracted players (Nick Calathes, Georgios Papagiannis, Donatas Motiejunas first and foremost).
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