The Roca Team’s preparations for the Betclic Elite semi-finals have been thrown into disarray after the club abruptly suspended star guard Mike James on Monday. The decision, officially described as “temporary and precautionary,” comes just one day before Monaco’s highly anticipated showdown with ASVEL, and marks yet another twist in the turbulent career of the Euroleague’s all-time leading scorer.
According to a statement released by the club, the suspension follows “a breach of internal regulations” and will remain in place pending further investigation and a hearing with James. The American has been removed from all team activities for the time being, with Monaco offering no timetable for his return. The specifics of the alleged breach have not been officially disclosed, but sources close to the team suggest it stems from an incident at a Monaco restaurant involving a physical altercation and verbal abuse directed at police officers.
James, 34, has already been sidelined in recent weeks due to a haematoma in his left arm—an injury he picked up during Monaco’s Euroleague final loss to Fenerbahçe on 25 May. He has not trained since and missed the entire quarter-final series against Le Mans. Though he was seen behind the bench for Game 1, he was absent from Sunday’s deciding Game 3, and it is understood the club was not planning on reintegrating him into the squad for the semi-final clash in Lyon regardless of the disciplinary matter.
The timing of this episode is especially bitter given what James has achieved this season. After years of chasing a Euroleague title, he finally reached the final this year, delivering a standout performance in the semi-final against Olympiakos (17 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds) before struggling to impose himself in the final (17 points on 6-of-19 shooting). It was, nevertheless, a season of redemption for the veteran guard, who had undergone major back surgery last summer and defied medical expectations to play in all 41 Euroleague games. “The doctor didn’t think I’d be able to play before December, if ever again,” James wrote on social media. “Not missing a single game and staying competitive is one of the greatest achievements of my career.”
Despite his on-court heroics, disciplinary issues have followed James throughout his tenure in Monaco. In March 2023, he was suspended for two weeks after arriving in poor condition for a match in Vitoria following a heavy night out. His arrival in 2021 from CSKA Moscow—via a brief stint with the Brooklyn Nets—was considered a major coup for Monaco, and he has since become a defining figure at the club, raising both its profile and competitiveness in France and Europe. Last year, he committed to Monaco until 2027, a deal now shrouded in uncertainty.
With James out, Monaco have leaned heavily on their remaining backcourt talents. Elie Okobo has taken the lead offensively, supported by Jordan Loyd and Matthew Strazel, while veteran Nick Calathes has provided stability in limited minutes. The trio were instrumental in dispatching Le Mans in the quarter-finals, and they’ll need to maintain that level against a dangerous ASVEL side. Whether Mike James will return to join them remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Monaco’s road to the title just got significantly rockier.
