Mike James joins Anadolu Efes following transfer from Monaco

Mike James, the EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer and 2024 MVP, has joined Anadolu Efes from AS Monaco. During a media day in Istanbul, James expressed excitement about the new project, noting that the vision of coach Pablo Laso and the club’s management were key factors in his decision to move to the Turkish side.

James highlighted the team’s rebuilt roster, which includes players such as Dario Sarić and Matthew Strazel. He emphasized that the team’s versatility, particularly with athletic wings and multi-functional big men, provides a strong foundation for competing for trophies. He stated, “I wanted to be in a place where I believed I would have a chance to win, and I simply felt that they gave me that.”

Addressing the pressure of his individual accolades, James noted that his focus remains on collective team progression rather than personal statistics. He remarked that how a team finishes the season is more important than how it begins. The move follows a difficult season for Anadolu Efes, which finished 19th in the EuroLeague standings last year.