This was over a year ago. Approached by representatives of recent Euroleague MVP Mike James (1.85 m, 33 years old), the French Federation obtained information on the modalities of a possible naturalization of the American leader from Monaco. This is what an FFBB executive confirmed this Thursday to the Team on the sidelines of the announcement of the selections for the Paris Olympics.
The case never moved decisively forward. The expected arrival of Joel Embiid, who had promised his commitment to the Blues to the Federation and even to the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron in a letter revealed by RMC Sport, has long blocked the horizon. The 2023 NBA MVP pivot would have occupied the only position of naturalized player authorized by FIBA, rendering the Mike James hypothesis obsolete.
“The duty to explore all possibilities”
This resurfaced with the announcement in the form of a snub, by Embiid, of his turnaround in favor of Team USA, in October, reinforced by the uncertainties encountered by France at the position of leader. But the delays to obtain a passport and validate his “sporting nationality” would not have been sufficient, taking into account French law (and the Embiid precedent?).
In addition, nothing says that the executives of the Blues would have given their approval to his integration. “We do not have the culture of other nations which systematically use naturalized players,” commented the FFBB executive. But we have a duty to explore all possibilities. In this case, we were asked, we looked and quickly established that it was not a question. »
“I heard this rumor with the Blues, but no one asked me the question directly”
Asked by L’Équipe about this possibility in May 2023, Mike James made this comment: “I heard this rumor with the Blues, but no one asked me the question directly and I did not have a conversation with the French Federation. My feeling about national teams is that players dedicate their lives and careers to being in the twelve, so taking someone’s place can cause an uncomfortable feeling, that would be the case for me.
But if a team, its players really want me to be there, think that I can contribute something, it would also be an honor to be part of such an adventure. Particularly with a team which, like France, aims for the highest places in each competition. I wouldn’t have a problem with that. We are talking about the Blues, but this is valid for any selection which considers that I could have a role. »
