International Notes: James, Vezenkov, Olympiacos, Fournier

One of the EuroLeague’s top players could be on the move this summer, according to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. Urbonas reports that Mike James, the league MVP last season, is exploring his options after AS Monaco suspended him prior to the start of the French League playoffs.

Sources tell Urbonas that James strongly disagrees with the reasons for the suspension, and the EuroLeague Players Association has gotten involved. Urbonas adds that French media outlet L’Equipe has reported that James was linked to an incident at a restaurant that resulted in police being called. Urbonas’ sources say James contends he didn’t do anything wrong and he believes the team imposed the disciplinary action without proper evidence.

James’ contract with AS Monaco runs through 2027, but sources tell Urbonas that he might have legal options to terminate it. Urbonas hears that James will meet team officials later today to try to resolve the situation.

Urbonas notes that James would become an extremely sought-after free agent if he’s able to break his current deal. He averaged 15.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game this season while leading Monaco to the EuroLeague title game first the first time in club history.

There’s more international news to pass along:

• Former NBA forward Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos was named MVP of the Greek Finals even though he had to leave the last game with an injured right ankle late in the first half, according to Eurohoops. Vezenkov, who played for Sacramento last season, averaged 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game during the series. “It’s a sprain,” he told Greek public television outlet ERT after the game. “But I don’t care about the injury right now. I am very happy for my team.”
• Five players with NBA ties could be leaving Olympiacos, per Konstantinos Melayess of Sport 24 in Greece. He states that Moses Wright and Nigel Williams-Goss are headed to Zalgiris Kaunas, while Nikola Milutinov will sign with Milan. Naz Mitrou-Long and Luca Vildoza are also expected to wind up elsewhere, although their destinations are still uncertain.
• Former NBA guard Evan Fournier, now with Olympiacos, set off a controversy by making an obscene gesture toward the Panathinaikos crowd during Game 3 of the series, according to BasketNews. “Congratulations for what happened on the court. They deserved it, they played better in the last two games,” Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman said after the series concluded. “Off the court, I won’t speak — with respect to all players, except for one.”