AS Monaco star and EuroLeague all-time leading scorer Mike James recently shared his ultimate goal in basketball: winning the EuroLeague title. In an exclusive interview on the Best In Class podcast presented by Turkish Airlines, James expressed that the one accomplishment he still strives for is to lead his team to the top of European basketball.
James, widely recognized for his elite scoring and playmaking, spoke passionately about his career’s defining moments, noting that, despite his many achievements, a EuroLeague championship is the final accolade he seeks. “The only thing I haven’t done yet in my basketball career that I care about is to win the EuroLeague,” James stated on the podcast, underscoring his commitment to securing a legacy-defining title for both himself and AS Monaco.
Last season, James set records, becoming the fastest player to reach 4,000 career points after scoring 24 points against Maccabi Tel Aviv in October 2023. Following his recent achievements, James continued to impress, securing the 2023-24 EuroLeague MVP title while guiding AS Monaco to a record-breaking season.
Reflecting on his journey, James contrasted the style of play in the EuroLeague with his brief tenure in the NBA, highlighting the NBA’s focus on athleticism over skill, which he believes limited his opportunities. “The NBA isn’t made for people like me. It’s more made for 6/7 footer, people who jump, just play defense and sit in the corner,” he remarked, crediting EuroLeague’s approach to the game as instrumental to his success and growth as a player.
Over his career, James has set numerous milestones, including his recent title as EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Vassilis Spanoulis with a record 4,464 points in March 2024. His consistency, demonstrated by double-digit scoring in each game of the 2023-24 season, has cemented his legacy, especially as he looks to steer Monaco to a championship.
Having signed a lucrative three-year extension with AS Monaco in June, James remains focused on his goal. His commitment to the club through 2027 speaks to his loyalty and ambition to bring Monaco their first EuroLeague title, which would also complete James’s career aspirations. Reflecting on the importance of dedication, James emphasized the relentless work required to compete at his level, saying, “To be great, to reach a certain level, you have to be obsessed.”
The podcast interview provided fans with a glimpse into the mindset of one of Europe’s most influential players as he approaches what could be his defining achievement. For James, the quest for a EuroLeague title represents both a personal goal and a chance to further solidify his legacy in European basketball history.
