Non-drafted in 2012 after two correct years at Lamar University (12.5 and 17.1 points on average), Mike James traveled a lot in Europe (in Zagreb or Panathinaikos in particular) before finally having a chance in the Great League. It was in 2017, for the Suns. Devin Booker injured, the franchise of Arizona decided to give up his chance at the now 30-year-old back. And he grabbed it, turning 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in a 21-minute average. Efficiency was not there (39% on shots including 27% at three points), but his level of play and his athleticism suggested the possibility of a small role exiting the NBA bench. Only after playing 32 games for the cacti and turning his two-way contract in standard contract, he ended up getting cut. A decision that surprised a lot of people at the time.
“I don’t know what happened to get cut off from the Suns. I never really got an answer. ” Mike James.
The New Orleans Pelicans picked him up a few days later but also fired him before the end of the season. The 1m85 player then decided to return to Europe, to Panathinaikos again, before leaving for Milan and then joining CSKA Moscow at the start of the season. He has shown all his talent there, turning 17.6 points per game.
“I enjoy being here. In terms of basketball, it’s perfect for me. Coach Itoudis explains things well and he’s nice on top of that. He gives us responsibilities. This is something new. I love the freedom we have to make mistakes with him. His way of letting us be ourselves on the pitch. These are the main reasons that keep me here. ” Mike James.
Stay here, because the point guard recently decided to sign a three-year extension in Russia. And at the same time more or less drawn a line on a return to the NBA.
“I don’t want to go back. I’ve been there before, and I don’t care now. You can’t really say that I turned down offers in the NBA before signing this extension with CSKA Moscow, because the talks didn’t go very far. There was interest from several teams, but you know how the salary cap… There was an interest, but I did not refuse a concrete offer. If I had waited, there probably would have been. ” Mike James.
Via Eurohoops.
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