AS Monaco Basket star Mike James made history Thursday night, becoming the all-time leading point scorer in the Euroleague during a game against Etoile Rouge de Belgrade in Monaco.
“Magic” Mike James’ moment came with just under four minutes left in the first half of the game, when he took the crown from Greek legend Vassilis Spanoulis to a sold-out Gaston-Médecin crowd on 7th March.
4,464 points and counting
“It is a great honour for me to coach such a player,” said AS Monaco’s Head Coach Sasa Obradovic. “Over the past three years, we have developed our relationship and helped each other grow. We come from a different world, but it’s been a wonderful adventure since day one.”
James, who was fêted not only by fans as he surpassed the previous record, but by his parents who were also at the game, can now boast 4,464 points and counting on his Euroleague statistics.
“I didn’t want it to get too emotional, because we first had to focus on winning,” said James after the game. “I will savour this record at the end of my career. I enjoyed the present moment. My friends and family have been here for a while, we’re going to celebrate together tonight, but quietly. Because the most important thing is yet to come, we want to go all the way and win the Euroleague title. Spanoulis? He called me yesterday to talk to me and congratulate me.”
Mike James has been on a high lately. The American, who joined the Monegasque side in 2021, was voted MVP for February. It is the fifth such trophy that James has achieved in his career. With 20.3 points, 6 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 3.7 assists on average in the month of February, the Portland native easily won the title, leading the Roca Team to three consecutive wins and continuing the teams meteoric rise in the Euroleague standings.
The Roca Team’s latest win
Aside from James, the team played brilliantly against opponents Etoile Rouge de Belgrade, beating them handily 98 to 80. The Roca Team led in all but one quarter, where they tied.
In the end, Mike James was high scorer of the game, with 20 points. Élie Okobo and Donatas Montejunas had strong showings as well, bringing 14 points each to the table.
Magic Mike and the rest of the team are back in action again on 10th March at 4:30pm, when they take on Basketball Club Maritime Gravelines Dunkerque at the Gravelines Sportica.
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Photo of Mike James by Monaco Life