BEAUMONT, Texas – Former Lamar University standout Mike James has been named the top Euro player in an anonymous survey hosted by The Athletic. The survey consisted of 21 coaches and players, both American and foreign, who compete in professional European leagues.
 
James is currently a standout guard for CSKA Moscow, a major Russian sports club based in Moscow, Russia. The team is a member of the VTB United League and the EuroLeague.  CSKA won titles in 2006, 2008, 2016 and 2019. CSKA has also advanced to the EuroLeague Final Four 17 times. A dominant force within the VTB United League, CSKA Moscow has won all but one league title.
 
James averaged better than 20 points per game during the 2019-20 season in the EuroLeague. He was nearly unstoppable from beyond the three-point arc knocking down 42 percent of his attempts. He played in 28 games receiving 25 starts in the past season. He shot nearly 44 percent on three-pointers in VTB United League games averaging 19.5 points per game.
 
James, who spent some time in the NBA, played for the Cardinals from 2010 through 2012 and was one of the league's top scorers during this time. James scored more than 840 points (15.1 ppg) during his two years on campus while knocking down 74 three-pointers. He also shot better than 80 percent from the free throw line during his Cardinal career. James closed his final season at LU earning first-team all-conference honors.
 
James has played professionally in Europe since his collegiate career came to an end save for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. During those two years he spent time with the NBA's Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans. During his professional career, James has been named EuroLeague MVP, Greek League Most Spectacular Player, and has received the Alphonso Ford Trophy (given to the EuroLeague's top scorer). He's played for two Greek league champions and an Italian Supercup champion.