Melbourne Phoenix big man Mitch Creek on adrenaline-charged love for motorbikes and skydiving

South East Melbourne Phoenix captain Mitch Creek opens up to the Herald Sun about his passion for motorbikes and skydiving, ahead of team’s first official home game at Melbourne Arena.

South East Melbourne Phoenix captain Mitch Creek has done more than 50 solo skydiving jumps. Picture: Supplied

Mitch Creek has the need for speed ... and altitude.

Not so much as a daredevil, but to relax and unwind.

Some like yoga, Creek likes riding motorbikes and jumping out of planes.

The NBA-experienced, Horsham-born, South East Melbourne captain puts every ounce of energy into basketball.

To be the best, yes, but also to get the best out of the teammates.

When not on the hardwood floor and in the gym, the 27-year-old likes to be outdoors.

“It's such a beautiful thing to get on there and go for a bit of squirt, twist the throttle and have fun,” Creek said ahead of the Phoenix's first official home game in Melbourne.

“There is nothing in this world that emulates the feeling of riding your bike.”

Creek has had about 10 bikes over the journey and despite a connection to the first, a lime green 50cc Aprilia scooter with small boat speakers strapped to side, his most recent buys rule.

South East Melbourne Phoenix captain Mitch Creek and his motorbikes at Benzina Garage in Preston. Picture: Tony Gough

The daily rider is a “big, loud, angry” factory ZX10 Kawasaki, but the pride and joy is a custom hand-built Turbo ZX10 Kawasaki, which Creek hopes to get roadworthy this week.

“Even people that don't know a bike would look at it and go, that's sick,” Creek said.

“It does about 275 horsepower, which is mental for a motorcycle.”

Creek has spent thousands of dollars on the dream machine, with help from the team at Benzina Garage in Preston, and elected not to go into specifics.

“More than my parents would've like me too,” he said.

He rode to Melbourne Arena last Thursday for the NBL season-opener against Melbourne United and plans to do the same again today, weather permitting.

Less than 48 hours after guiding the Phoenix to victory last week with a game-high 28 points, Creek ducked down the South Gippsland Highway and jumped over the Tooradin drop zone.

South East Melbourne Phoenix captain Mitch Creek has done more than 50 solo skydiving jumps. Picture: Supplied

Skydiving is another important outlet for the 196cm action man.

Creek has done about 50 solo jumps since being licensed about seven months ago, including three in Las Vegas during NBA Summer League.

“I find it so peaceful, there's an adrenaline rush to it, but there is such a calmness with it,” Creek said.

“I can relax the whole way down and do nothing, or I can jump out and tuck in a ball and do flips, go head down, belly down, belly up, feet first, seated, so many different ways to enjoy it.”

The rigours of any professional sport demand extreme commitment, grit and determination.

For Creek, add strong leadership and a drive to create something special for South East Melbourne.

“Team success is everything,” Creek said.

“I want to be successful on and off the court, some of those things require a lot of mental energy and time, you have restrictions on social life and sometimes you put yourself on a bit of an island.

“You have to say things to a group or players that maybe is a bit uncomfortable for other people to say, but you know it's the best thing for the group in the long run.

“I need to be able to vent and clear my head ... I'm pretty good at drinking beers and going out and having fun, but there's a certain toll that would take.”

Originally published as Melbourne Phoenix big man Mitch Creek on adrenaline-charged love for motorbikes and skydiving