NBA Draft Blog Interview with Mike James

Basketball’s best stories usually come from players and places where you least expect them. Players who have been overlooked for a variety of reasons have found ways to not only to make a good career playing basketball, but to also reach the game’s highest levels. Mike James is just a couple of seasons into his professional career, but he is already creating a great story for himself.

After a successful two seasons at Lamar, culminating in James being named to All-Southland First Team and Southland Tournament MVP, he was looking forward to continuing his basketball career, no matter where it would take him. “Coming from a small school, I knew getting to the NBA right away wasn’t likely to happen, so I knew overseas was the route I was going to need to take.”

James started his professional career in 2012 playing KK Zagreb in Croatia, before getting the opportunity to play in Israel for Hapoel Kazrin. James’ rise as a pro started though when he signed with Italian Second Division team Paffoni Omegna for the 2013-2014 season.

During his season in Italy, James averaged over 22 points, to go along with almost 6 rebounds and over 5 assists per game.  The season ended with James being named League MVP, and James was ready to move up to some of Europe’s top leagues.

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James began this past season in the Greek A1 League playing for Kolossos Roudou, and his stellar play continued. He spent eight games in Greece, averaging 21 points, 5 rebounds, and over 3 assists per game, before he received his biggest opportunity yet.

The Euroleague is the pinnacle of international basketball, and James was going to get his opportunity to play against the best teams in Europe. He signed with Spanish ACB team Laboral Kutxa in December, 2014, and has made an immediate impact, being among the teams leading scorers and defenders.

Before James joined the team, they were 4-6 and in 12^th place; since James’ arrival, they are 13-6 and are now just a game out of 4^th place in Europe’s toughest national basketball league. James leads all ACB point guards in PER (Player Effeciency Rating) with 21.59, ahead of former NBA players/draft picks such as Sergio Llull, Tomas Satoransky (who is 2^nd at just 18.72,) Sergio Rodriguez, and Nemanja Nedovic.

While James has had success in Europe, like many before him, he didn’t find the adjustment to playing overseas easy. “Adjusting to lifestyle in Europe and being away from friends and family are probably the biggest adjustment players need to make,” said James. “Luckily, there have been a lot of people who spoke English where I’ve been, which has helped.”

Besides the cultural differences, James also has had to adjust to how basketball is played in Europe compared to the United States. “The game is more physical in Europe,” James explained. “Players can do more with their hands and bodies. Also, teams and players put more effort into looking for the best shot during possessions.”

Though it has been just a few seasons, James has already seen how his game has benefitted from playing overseas. “My basketball IQ has definitely improved, and that has helped my passing,” said James. “I had always played off-guard because of my scoring, so I’ve had to learn as I play the point.”

These growing skills have been added to the parts of James’ game which had already made him tough to guard, such as his athleticism and ability to beat his man in one-on-one situations.

As to his future, James’ goals haven’t changed, even with his success. “The ultimate goal is still to get to the NBA, like most players,” said James. “Right now though, I am working on being the best player I can here in Europe.”

With June and the end of the NBA season coming up in a couple of months, teams are already looking to put together their Summer League squads. According to his agent, James has received multiple invites from NBA teams, and they will weigh their options according to the plan that he and James already have in place to put him in spots that further his development as he tackles each level.

No matter what his future brings, James is ready to take on any challenge. “Coming from a small school, and being a 6’1 scorer, I’ve always been put in places where I’ve had to prove myself,” James said. “My rise has been quick so far, and I’ve been successful at every level I’ve played, so I’ll always be ready for what comes next.”

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