Mitch Creek

Mitch Creek
Creek with the Brooklyn Nets in 2018
Free agent
Position Small forward / Shooting guard
Personal information
Born (1992-04-27) 27 April 1992
Horsham, Victoria
Nationality Australian
Listed height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight 216 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school St Brigid's College (Horsham, Victoria)
NBA draft 2014 / Undrafted
Playing career 2010–present
Career history
2010–2018 Adelaide 36ers
2018 Göttingen
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Australia
FIBA Asia Cup
2017 Lebanon

Mitchell Creek (born 27 April 1992) is an Australian professional basketball player.

Early life and career

Born and raised in Horsham, Victoria, Creek attended St Brigid's College, where, upon graduating, he entered the school's hall of fame.[1] In 2007, as a 15 year old, Creek represented Victoria Country for the first time at the Under-16 National Championships. 2009 marked a big year for Creek and his basketball career. He took his game to a new level, playing a leading role in Victoria Country's campaign at the Under-18 National Championships, trained with the Australian under-19 squad, and won a place at the prestigious Nike All-Asia Camp in Beijing, China. He capped off a whirlwind year with a scholarship to the exclusive Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) men's basketball program in Canberra.[2]

Between 2007 and 2009, Creek also played for the Horsham Hornets alongside Shaun Bruce, where in 21 games over three seasons, he averaged 12.6 points per game.[3]

After recovering from a fractured wrist which he picked up while playing in Beijing, Creek played in one game for the AIS to complete their 2009 SEABL campaign. In 2010, he again played for the AIS, and in 15 games during the SEABL season, he averaged 14.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

In addition to playing for the AIS in 2010, Creek also guided Victoria Country to a gold medal at the Under-20 National Championships, and had a fairytale international debut, leading the Australian under-19 team to its first gold medal at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Mannheim, Germany. Creek was subsequently crowned the tournament's most valuable player after averaging 17 points per game and finishing second in efficiency on plus 20.[4][5]

In 2011, Creek helped Victoria Country win back-to-back gold medals at the Under-20 National Championships, as they were victorious over a determined Queensland team in the final, winning 77–70. He subsequently won the Bob Staunton Award for tournament MVP after averaging 19 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3 assists per game.[6]

Professional career

Creek was picked up by the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League for the 2010–11 NBL season, and made his debut for the club on 3 December 2010 against the Townsville Crocodiles. In 21 minutes of action off the bench, he recorded seven points and three steals in a 92–79 win.[7] As a rookie, he appeared in 20 games for the 36ers, averaging 5.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Following the 2010–11 NBL season, Creek remained in Adelaide and played for the South Adelaide Panthers of the Central ABL.[8] His strong play with the 36ers earned him a spot on the Australian Emus squad for the 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championship.[9]

In 2011–12, Creek appeared in all 28 games for the 36ers, averaging 5.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He again played in the Central ABL during the 2012 off-season, appearing in five games for the Woodville Warriors.

In 2012–13, Creek's season with the 36ers was cut short after rupturing his Achilles tendon on 15 December 2012. He subsequently missed out on participating in the 2012 NBL All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.[10] In 12 games, he averaged 5.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

On 24 April 2013, Creek re-signed with the 36ers for the 2013–14 NBL season.[11] He returned to action in 2013–14 and appeared in all but one game for the 36ers, helping lead the 36ers to the NBL Grand Final, where they were defeated 2–1 by the Perth Wildcats. In 33 games during the season, he averaged then career highs of 7.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

During the 2014 off-season, Creek played in the SEABL for the Nunawading Spectres,[12] helping the team reach the grand final where they lost to the Mount Gambier Pioneers.

On 14 May 2014, Creek re-signed with the 36ers on a two-year deal (with the option of a third).[13] In 2014–15, he averaged career highs of 11.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26 games. For the 2015 off-season, he returned to the Woodville Warriors.

In 2015–16, Creek averaged 9.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 26 games. For the 2016 off-season, he joined the Southern Tigers of the SA Premier League and helped them win the title.[14][15] He earned Premier League Grand Final MVP,[16] league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and All-Star Five honours.[17]

On 2 May 2016, Creek signed a three-year contract extension with the 36ers.[18] He was later named team captain for the 2016–17 season.[19] On 16 October 2016, he was ruled out for eight weeks after sustaining a stress fracture in his right foot against Melbourne United two days earlier.[20] Creek returned to action on 10 December 2016, scoring 14 points off the bench in a 102–92 win over the New Zealand Breakers.[21] Creek went on to help the 36ers claim their first regular season championship since 2000 with a 17–11 record in 2016–17. In 21 games, he averaged 12.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Despite suffering a broken hand following the 2016–17 season,[22] Creek was invited to participate in a free agent mini-camp run by the Utah Jazz before joining the Jazz's Summer League team.[23]

On 12 December 2017, Creek was ruled out for three weeks after scans revealed he had torn a small muscle from the bone in his hamstring.[24] He returned to action in January, and on 27 February 2018, he was named the NBL Fans MVP and earned All-NBL Second Team honours.[25] Creek helped the 36ers reach the 2018 NBL Grand Final series, where they were defeated 3–2 by Melbourne United. In 31 games in 2017–18, he averaged 14.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

On 2 April 2018, Creek signed with BG Göttingen of the German Basketball Bundesliga.[26] In seven games, he averaged 11.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

On 5 June 2018, Creek exercised his European-out clause, thus departing the 36ers after eight years.[27][28] Two days later, he signed with s.Oliver Würzburg.[29] However, after playing for the Dallas Mavericks' summer league team in July, Creek exercised his NBA-out clause with Würzburg.[30]

On 20 August 2018, Creek signed a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal with the Brooklyn Nets.[31][32]

On October 12, 2018, Creek was waived by the Nets.[33]

National Team Career

Creek won gold with the Australian National team the Australian Boomers at the 2017 Fiba Asia Cup in Lebanon and helping there chances to make the 2019 Fiba World Cup in China.

Personal life

Off the court, Creek is a qualified personal trainer.[34]

References

  1. ↑ Cavalieri, Peppe (5 January 2016). "St Brigid's College welcomes Hall of Fame inductees on New Year's Day". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  2. ↑ Ward, Roy (26 June 2009). "Mitch Creek scores AIS chance". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Player statistics for Mitch Creek – Big V". FoxSportsPulse.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  4. ↑ Ward, Roy (11 April 2010). "Horsham basketballer on top of the world". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  5. ↑ Ward, Roy (8 July 2010). "Mitch Creek to play for Hornets". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "36ers Shine at Nationals". NBL.com.au. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  7. ↑ Rogers, Leigh (5 December 2010). "Creek debuts in NBL". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "South Adelaide Signs 36er Star Mitch Creek". FoxSportsPulse.com. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  9. ↑ "Creek and Hooley in Emus Squad". NBL.com.au. 4 March 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  10. ↑ Nagy, Boti (17 December 2012). "NBL confident of an aerial threat in Slam Dunk Contest". AdelaideNow.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "Sixers and Lightning re-sign Creek and Mansfield". Adelaide36ers.com. 24 April 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013.
  12. ↑ "NUNAWADING LAND NBL RISING STAR MITCH CREEK". SEABL.com.au. 16 March 2014. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Mitch Creek Signs New Contract To Remain A 36er". Adelaide36ers.com. 14 May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014.
  14. ↑ Tigers vs Sabres
  15. ↑ Southern Tigers roar to claim first Premier League men’s title this century as Norwood Flames take care of business
  16. ↑ Southern Tigers crowned champions after a superb season
  17. ↑ 2016 Halls Woollacott Award Winners
  18. ↑ "EXTRA THREE YEAR DEAL". Adelaide36ers.com. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  19. ↑ Nagy, Boti (31 August 2016). "Mitch Creek voted in to captain new-look, revamped Adelaide 36ers in 2016-17 NBL season". AdelaideNow.com.au. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  20. ↑ "CAPTAIN MITCH CREEK SIDELINED FOR 8 WEEKS". Adelaide36ers.com. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  21. ↑ "RANDLE LEADS SIXERS TO SECOND SPOT ON LADDER". NBL.com.au. 10 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  22. ↑ Nagy, Boti (2 March 2017). "Greece the word for Adelaide 36ers swingman Nathan Sobey, while injured Mitch Creek misses NBA window". AdelaideNow.com.au. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  23. ↑ Santamaria, Liam (2 June 2017). "SOBEY, CREEK AND HODGSON CHASE NBA DREAMS". NBL.com.au. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  24. ↑ "Adelaide star Creek sidelined for extended period". NBL.com.au. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  25. ↑ "Bryce Cotton crowned NBL MVP for 2017/18". NBL.com.au. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  26. ↑ Santamaria, Liam (2 April 2018). "Creek Signs Short-Term Contract with German Team". NBL.com.au. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  27. ↑ Uluc, Olgun (5 June 2018). "Mitch Creek will exercise Euro-out clause, won't return to Adelaide 36ers for 2018-19 NBL season — sources". FoxSports.com.au. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  28. ↑ "Creek Parts Ways with Sixers to Chase NBA Dream". NBL.com.au. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  29. ↑ "S.Oliver Würzburg signs Mitch Creek". sportando.basketball. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  30. ↑ Ward, Roy (27 June 2018). "Mitch Creek could be Australia's 11th NBA player after German exit". SMH.com.au. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  31. ↑ "BROOKLYN NETS SIGN MITCHELL CREEK AND JORDAN MCLAUGHLIN". NBA.com. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  32. ↑ Uluc, Olgun (21 August 2018). "Mitch Creek officially signs with Brooklyn Nets, sources say it's non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal". FoxSports.com.au. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  33. ↑ "BROOKLYN NETS SIGN DREW GORDON". NBA.com. October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  34. ↑ "MITCH CREEK SET FOR BUSY OFF SEASON". Adelaide36ers.com. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
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