Mitch Creek

Mitchell Creek (born 27 April 1992) is an Australian professional basketball player for the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the National Basketball League (NBL). In 2010, Creek began his NBL career with the Adelaide 36ers. He spent eight seasons with the 36ers, helping them reach two grand finals and win one minor premiership. In his final season in Adelaide, Creek earned All-NBL Second Team honours. During the eight-season duration, he had multiple off-season stints in the Australian state leagues. After a stint in Germany in 2018, he joined the Long Island Nets. During the 2018–19 season, he had stints in the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Mitch Creek
Creek with the Brooklyn Nets in October 2018
No. 55 – South East Melbourne Phoenix
PositionSmall forward / Shooting guard
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (1992-04-27) 27 April 1992
Horsham, Victoria
NationalityAustralian
Listed height196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Listed weight98 kg (216 lb)
Career information
High schoolSt Brigid's College (Horsham, Victoria)
NBA draft2014 / Undrafted
Playing career2007–present
Career history
2007–2009Horsham Hornets
2009–2010Australian Institute of Sport
2010–2018Adelaide 36ers
2011South Adelaide Panthers
2012Woodville Warriors
2014Nunawading Spectres
2015Woodville Warriors
2016Southern Tigers
2018Göttingen
2018–2019Long Island Nets
2019Brooklyn Nets
2019→Long Island Nets
2019Minnesota Timberwolves
2019–presentSouth East Melbourne Phoenix
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Australia
FIBA Asia Cup
2017 Lebanon

Early life and career

Creek was born and raised in Horsham in country Victoria.[1] He attended St Brigid's College, where he earned induction into the school's hall of fame.[2]

In 2009, Creek played a leading role in Victoria Country's campaign at the Under-18 National Championships, trained with the Australian under-19 squad, and earned a place at the prestigious Nike All-Asia Camp in Beijing, China. In June, he received a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) men's basketball program in Canberra.[3] Between 2007 and 2009, Creek played 21 games for the Horsham Hornets in the Big V.[4] To conclude 2009, he played one game for the AIS in the SEABL, before playing 14 games in the SEABL for the AIS in 2010.[5]

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.[6][7]

In 2011, Creek helped Victoria Country win back-to-back gold medals at the Under-20 National Championships, as they were victorious in defeating Queensland 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.[8]

Professional career

Adelaide 36ers (2010–2018)

Creek joined the Adelaide 36ers for the 2010–11 NBL season. He made his NBL debut on 3 December 2010, recording seven points and three steals in 21 minutes off the bench in a 92–79 win over the Townsville Crocodiles.[9] In 20 games as a rookie, Creek averaged 5.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.[10] He remained in Adelaide following his rookie season and played for the South Adelaide Panthers of the Central ABL.[11] 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.[10] He again played in the Central ABL during the 2012 off-season, appearing in five games for the Woodville Warriors.

Creek's 2012–13 season was cut short after rupturing his Achilles tendon on 15 December against the Crocodiles in Adelaide.[12][13][14] In 12 games, he averaged 5.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.[10] He returned to action in 2013–14,[15] helping the 36ers reach the NBL Grand Final, where they lost to the Perth Wildcats in three games. In 33 games, Creek averaged 7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.[10] During the 2014 off-season, Creek played in the SEABL for the Nunawading Spectres.[16]

Creek had a career-best season in 2014–15,[17] averaging 11.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26 games.[10] During the 2015 off-season, he played for the Woodville Warriors.[18] In 2015–16, Creek averaged 9.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 26 games for the 36ers.

During the 2016 off-season, Creek helped the Southern Tigers win the Premier League championship.[19] He was named Grand Final MVP after recording 29 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks in an 85–66 win over the Sturt Sabres.[20][21] He was also named league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-Star Five honours.[22]

After signing a three-year contract extension with the 36ers in May 2016,[23] Creek was named team captain for the 2016–17 season.[24] On 16 October, he was ruled out for eight weeks after sustaining a stress fracture in his right foot against Melbourne United two days earlier.[25] Creek returned to action on 10 December, scoring 14 points off the bench in a 102–92 win over the New Zealand Breakers.[26] Creek went on to help the 36ers win the minor premiership with a 17–11 record. 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,[27] Creek was invited to participate in a free agent mini-camp run by the Utah Jazz before joining the Jazz's Summer League team.[28]

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.[29] 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.[30] 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.

Europe and NBA/G League (2018–2019)

On 2 April 2018, Creek signed with BG Göttingen of the German Basketball Bundesliga.[31] 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.[32][33] Two days later, he signed with s.Oliver Würzburg.[34] However, after playing for the Dallas Mavericks' summer league team in July, Creek exercised his NBA-out clause with Würzburg.[35]

On 20 August 2018, Creek signed a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal with the Brooklyn Nets.[36][37] On 12 October 2018, Creek was waived by the Nets after appearing in one preseason game.[38] Ten days later, he was acquired by Brooklyn's NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.[39] On 25 January 2019, he signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets.[40] He made his NBA debut later that day, entering the game against the New York Knicks to take free throws for an injured Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the fourth quarter, making one of them.[41][42] On 4 February, he signed a second 10-day contract with Brooklyn.[43] On 7 February, he was waived by Brooklyn.[44] During his time with Brooklyn, he was assigned to Long Island four times.[45] Upon being waived, he re-joined Long Island permanently.[46] On 30 March, he signed a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves.[47] On 9 April, he signed with the Timberwolves for the rest of the season.[48] In July 2019, he played for the Timberwolves at the Las Vegas Summer League.[49]

South East Melbourne Phoenix (2019–present)

On 4 December 2018, Creek was announced as the first marquee signing of the South East Melbourne Phoenix, a franchise entering the NBL for the 2019–20 season.[50][51] He signed a two-year deal, with a player option for a third year and an NBA-out clause.[52] In July 2019, he committed to the Phoenix for their inaugural season.[53]

Creek scored an NBL career-high 32 points in a game against the Cairns Taipans on 26 January 2020.[54] On 6 February 2020, Creek was fined $500 by the NBL for comments he made to Adelaide 36ers owner Grant Kelley following the Phoenix's game against Adelaide on 2 February.[55] He missed the last two games of the season after hyperextending his knee against the Sydney Kings on 9 February.[56]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Brooklyn 409.0.500.000.7142.51.3.3.03.8
2018–19 Minnesota 1012.0.500.000---2.01.01.0.06.0
Career 509.6.500.000.7142.41.2.4.04.2

National team career

Creek first competed for Australia in 2011 at the FIBA Under-19 World Championship.[57] In August 2017, he represented the Australian Boomers for the first time at the FIBA Asia Cup. He later played for Australia during the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.[58]

Personal life

Off the court, Creek is a qualified personal trainer.[59]

References
  1. "Mitch Creek is thriving in his NY moment". ESPN.com.au. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  2. 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.
  3. Ward, Roy (26 June 2009). "Mitch Creek scores AIS chance". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  4. "Player statistics for Mitch Creek – Big V". FoxSportsPulse.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  5. "Player statistics for Mitch Creek – SEABL". SportsTG.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018.
  6. Ward, Roy (11 April 2010). "Horsham basketballer on top of the world". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  7. Ward, Roy (8 July 2010). "Mitch Creek to play for Hornets". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  8. "36ers Shine at Nationals". NBL.com.au. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  9. Rogers, Leigh (5 December 2010). "Creek debuts in NBL". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  10. "Player statistics for Mitch Creek – NBL". SportsTG.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018.
  11. "South Adelaide Signs 36er Star Mitch Creek". FoxSportsPulse.com. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  12. Nagy, Boti (17 December 2012). "NBL confident of an aerial threat in Slam Dunk Contest". AdelaideNow.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  13. McArdle, Jordan (17 December 2012). "Former Horsham basketballer Mitch Creek out for season". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  14. McArdle, Jordan (11 February 2013). "Adelaide 36er Mitch Creek recovering well from achilles injury". MailTimes.com.au. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  15. "Sixers and Lightning re-sign Creek and Mansfield". Adelaide36ers.com. 24 April 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013.
  16. "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.
  17. "Mitch Creek Signs New Contract To Remain A 36er". Adelaide36ers.com. 14 May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014.
  18. "Player statistics for Mitch Creek – Premier League". SportsTG.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018.
  19. "Southern Tigers crowned champions after a superb season". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 4 December 2018. After being named captain for the Adelaide 36ers for the upcoming season, it will be interesting to see if he can continue his dominance.
  20. "Tigers vs Sabres". FIBALiveStats.com. 10 September 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  21. Nagy, Boti (11 September 2016). "Southern Tigers roar to claim first Premier League men's title this century as Norwood Flames take care of business". AdelaideNow.com.au. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  22. "2016 Halls Woollacott Award Winners". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  23. "EXTRA THREE YEAR DEAL". Adelaide36ers.com. 2 May 2016. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  24. 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.
  25. "CAPTAIN MITCH CREEK SIDELINED FOR 8 WEEKS". Adelaide36ers.com. 16 October 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  26. "RANDLE LEADS SIXERS TO SECOND SPOT ON LADDER". NBL.com.au. 10 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  27. 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.
  28. Santamaria, Liam (2 June 2017). "SOBEY, CREEK AND HODGSON CHASE NBA DREAMS". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  29. "Adelaide star Creek sidelined for extended period". NBL.com.au. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  30. "Bryce Cotton crowned NBL MVP for 2017/18". NBL.com.au. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  31. Santamaria, Liam (2 April 2018). "Creek Signs Short-Term Contract with German Team". NBL.com.au. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  32. 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.
  33. "Creek Parts Ways with Sixers to Chase NBA Dream". NBL.com.au. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  34. "S.Oliver Würzburg signs Mitch Creek". sportando.basketball. 7 June 2018. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  35. Ward, Roy (27 June 2018). "Mitch Creek could be Australia's 11th NBA player after German exit". SMH.com.au. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  36. "BROOKLYN NETS SIGN MITCHELL CREEK AND JORDAN MCLAUGHLIN". NBA.com. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  37. 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.
  38. "BROOKLYN NETS SIGN DREW GORDON". NBA.com. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  39. "Long Island Nets Finalize Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  40. "BROOKLYN NETS SIGN MITCH CREEK TO 10-DAY CONTRACT". NBA.com. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  41. "Even without Dinwiddie, Nets' bench too much for Knicks". ESPN.com. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  42. NBL (26 January 2019). "There it is. Mitch Creek makes his NBA..." Twitter. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  43. "BROOKLYN NETS SIGN MITCH CREEK TO SECOND 10-DAY CONTRACT". NBA.com. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  44. Brooklyn Nets (7 February 2019). "ROSTER UPDATE: The Brooklyn Nets have..." Twitter. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  45. "2018-19 NBA Assignments". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019.
  46. "Mitch Creek Rejoins Long Island Nets". NBA.com. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  47. "TIMBERWOLVES SIGN FORWARD MITCH CREEK TO 10-DAY CONTRACT". NBA.com. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  48. "Timberwolves Sign Forward Mitch Creek". NBA.com. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  49. "2019 Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Summer League Roster". RealGM.com. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  50. "S.E Melbourne Phoenix Sign Mitch Creek". NBL.com.au. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  51. Arsenis, Damian (4 December 2018). "Phoenix secure prized signature of Mitch Creek". pickandroll.com.au. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  52. Uluc, Olgun (4 December 2018). "Mitch Creek signs with South East Melbourne Phoenix as first marquee player". FoxSports.com.au. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  53. "Mitch Creek Commits To South East Melbourne Phoenix For NBL20". NBL.com.au. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  54. Snowdon, Darren (26 January 2020). "Taipans edge Phoenix in NBL thriller". 7 News. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  55. "Mitch Creek Sanctioned". NBL. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  56. "Deep Heat injury report: Creek to miss rest of season". semphoenix.com.au. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  57. "Creek and Hooley in Emus Squad". NBL.com.au. 4 March 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  58. "Mitch Creek's profile – 2017 FIBA Asia Cup". FIBA.com. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  59. "MITCH CREEK SET FOR BUSY OFF SEASON". Adelaide36ers.com. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
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