Mike James to miss EuroLeague season after right Achilles tendon surgery

Anadolu Efes guard Mike James will miss the remainder of the EuroLeague season after undergoing surgery on Friday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon, the club confirmed. James sustained the injury in a non-contact sequence with 2:35 remaining in the third quarter of Anadolu Efes’s Round 3 fixture against Crvena Zvezda on Thursday night.

According to the medical bulletin released by the Turkish club on Friday, surgical intervention was immediate for the team’s summer signing. Medical staff project a recovery period of seven to nine months, sidelining the competition’s all-time leading scorer.

How the Injury Happened at Crvena Zvezda

The incident occurred as Anadolu Efes held a 53-51 lead during Thursday’s contest. Pushing off the floor to contest a rebound in the final minutes of the third period, James collapsed to the court without contact, immediately clutching his right Achilles tendon area in visible pain.

Medical personnel attended to the 36-year-old guard on the hardwood before he was removed from the floor in a stretcher. Post-match comments from Anadolu Efes head coach Pablo Laso immediately acknowledged the severity of the incident, with the club confirming the Achilles tear following initial evaluations.

The Istanbul outfit built its project around the American guard after securing his transfer this past summer following a five-year tenure with AS Monaco.

James Faces Seven to Nine Months of Rehabilitation

Club physicians operated on James on Friday, initiating a rehabilitation path that spans seven to nine months. Anadolu Efes stated that the guard’s rehabilitation program will follow post-surgical treatment protocols, ruling him out for the duration of the season.

The timeline places James’s potential return months away, ending his debut season with the Turkish side after just three continental fixtures. The guard was playing for Laso’s squad before the rupture.

Teammates and Competitors React to James Injury

EuroLeague competitors and teammates responded quickly across digital platforms and post-match press conferences following news of the injury. Crvena Zvezda forward Chima Moneke, who shared a locker room with James at AS Monaco in 2023, addressed reporters about his former teammate’s impact on the sport.

Moneke described the sentiment in post-game remarks, noting that the guard’s status as a central figure in European basketball transcends club rivalries.

James addressed supporters directly via his official account on X, writing, “Well, this is shit. Fucking horrible. Thanks to everyone who got in touch with me”. Additional public messages of support arrived from fellow EuroLeague players including Justin Robinson, Elijah Bryant, Jaron Blossomgame, and McKinley Wright.

Questions Surrounding Anadolu Efes’s Roster Depth

The club structured its project around the 2024 EuroLeague MVP, leaving a significant void in scoring and ball-handling as the continental calendar enters its early stages.

More on this story: Anadolu Efes Loss: Mike James Out for 7-9 Months with Achilles Injury