Mike James spoke exclusively to Basketball Sphere after making his debut for the United States in the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers.
The basketball journey that began in Zagreb back in 2012 is still going on, and it continues in an incredible way. The all-time leading scorer in EuroLeague history, one of the players around whom many elite teams have built their rosters, the individual with the biggest credit for Monaco’s rise over the past five years, but there is still one regret – the continental trophy he has never won.
And more importantly, none of that stopped him from making his debut for the United States national team at the age of 35, as the leader of the national team in the World Cup qualifiers.
This is not the first time Basketball Sphere has managed to get in touch with members of Team USA, and after Tyrese Haliburton was our guest ahead of the FIBA World Cup in Manila, this time it was Mike James, one of the players every EuroLeague team would want to see on its roster after Monaco became a thing of the past in his CV.
Two games, two wins, the same outcome twice
Mike James was the leader of the USA national team in both FIBA World Cup qualifying games. In the opening matchup against the Dominican Republic, James outplayed the duo of Andres Feliz and Jean Montero. The American finished the game with 15 points, 13 assists, and five rebounds in an 82-81 victory. It was his debut in the jersey of the most dominant basketball nation in the world, and just two days later, in another close game against Mexico, he was once again the best player on the court.
The USA defeated Mexico 92-91 in another tight contest, but the victory is what matters, and Mike James once again carried the team on his shoulders. He scored 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out seven assists with three steals in 28 minutes on the floor. The best way to start this conversation was by asking him about his debut.
Mike, congratulations on your national team debut. In a way, you made history because it rarely happens that a player makes his debut at the age of 35, but in this case, it is clear why that happened. What are your impressions, and what does this experience personally mean to you?
“It’s fun. I’m just having fun, to be honest. I’m just trying to have fun and try to get two wins and give myself the best showing as possible, I guess, and not trying to make it too serious, although it is very serious, but trying to, you know, just enjoy it. Cool.”
What can you say about that first game against the Dominican Republic? It was your debut in a great atmosphere, and you had familiar faces as opponents. After many battles against each other in the EuroLeague, you now found yourself going head-to-head against the Jean Montero-Andres Feliz duo.
“I think, first of all, the arena and, like, how they had it set up and everything was really nice and just. Just a good time, honestly. It was a good crowd. It was a good game, which also helps with the crowd. And I think we gave the crowd and just, you know, whoever was watching, just something to be intrigued about watching and just glad we can win.
And, you know, obviously, those two, Jean Montero and Andres Feliz are great players, and they got a long future ahead of them. Way past when I’m gonna be playing, so… (laugh)”
The hardest part is being away from home
That gave me a great introduction for the next question. As time goes by and the years pass, I want to ask you how difficult it is personally to stay ready for basketball at the highest level. From reliable sources, we know you are a hard worker, regardless of all the stories that circulate about you that are not true. We know you lead by example, that you are the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave. Have you thought about how much longer you want to continue playing basketball at the highest level?
“Staying in shape ain’t the hard part. It’s just being away. Honestly, going through a long season, I think that’s the hardest part now. But I would say I’m putting it this way. All my teammates and people that are around me always want me to play until, like, 40 something. I don’t think I’m gonna get that far, but I’m gonna leave it open for now. But I think it’s come to end.”
“Breath of fresh air”
After everything that happened last season, do you feel like this is the beginning of a completely new chapter in your career? Is joining the national team your way of stepping away from all the transfer stories and clubs you were linked with across Europe, so you can fully focus only on basketball?
“I mean, yeah, I was trying. Obviously it’s a topic. Me and the people close to me have been talking about it, but just not having to focus on it, coming out here, getting to relief and kind of get away from all of that and focus too much on it, it’s, you know, just kind of a breath of fresh air.”
Did you ever have a role model when it came to playing for the national team? I know you previously talked about Michael Jordan and Tracy McGrady in the NBA, but if we focus exclusively on Team USA, there is a gallery of enormous names and truly special players. The great ones always take something from others to expand their offensive arsenal. Which Team USA player had the biggest influence on you in that sense?
“I always say my favorite player ever actually is Deron Williams. Just because I just like type, I think just how he moved and how he manipulated the game. I feel like I took the most from his game. But I mean, I could be biased because I like him a lot, so that’s who I really watch the most.”
Health – the only thing I’m currently worried about
And finally, is there still some unfulfilled dream in your career, some club trophy or achievement that you still want to accomplish?
“Just ending my career healthy is really all I’m worried about at this point. I want to win wherever I go and be happy”, Mike James concluded for Basketball Sphere.
