Mitch Creek is back from the NBA and keen to take the court with new NBL franchise South East Melbourne Phoenix

After a Summer League tilt at earning a place in the NBA, Mitch Creek is back in Australia ready to lead NBL debutant South East Melbourne Phoenix

Mitch Creek, back from the Timberwolves and ready to lead the Phoenix debut. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Mitch Creek has committed to leading the Wantirna-based South East Melbourne Phoenix into its inaugural National Basketball League season following the end of a recent NBA Summer League stint.

“I’m really excited to get back to Melbourne and start preparing for the NBL season,” he said. “The Phoenix have been really supportive of me the last few months, I couldn’t have asked for more and I’m more than going to repay the favour.

“I love the recent additions to the team and can’t wait to get to work.”

During the 2018-19 season Creek successfully landed three 10-day NBA contracts and signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the late stages of the season.

MORE BASKETBALL NEWS

CARAVAN KING HOOKS UP THE DANDENONG RANGERS

NBA STARS BUY INTO THE PHOENIX

ANDERSON BACK WITH THE BOOMERS

THREE’S ENOUGH FOR GIBSON

FRANKSTON BLUES WIN FIRST FINAL IN 10 YEARS

Mitch Creek takes on Melbourne United in the NBL grand final series during his time with Adelaide Picture: Mark Brake (Getty Images)

He then produced a stellar Summer League performance for the Timberwolves.

Led by Creek, the Timberwolves were undefeated in pool play and fell just short of claiming the Summer League title after going down to the Memphis Grizzlies by three points.

“I did everything humanly possible to make my NBA dream come true and have no regrets,” Creek said. “From the second I got out of bed until after I go to bed, I made sure I leave impressions on everyone. Knowing all that, I can live with the results.”

Creek led Adelaide in the 2017-18 NBL grand final series against Melbourne United and was the leading rebounder in that series with 8.7 per game. He grabbed more rebounds in the post-season (63) than anyone since Chris Anstey in 2008.

“Mitch was the club’s first signing,” Phoenix head coach Simon Mitchell said. “It was an obvious choice as he embodies everything we want this club to stand for: honesty, hard work, selflessness and passion. On top of this, he is a hell of basketballer who allows everyone to walk a little taller in his presence.”

South East Melbourne Phoenix head coach Simon Mitchell, general manager Tommy Greer, Victorian deputy premier James Merlino and NBL chief executive Jeremy Loeliger help launch the Phoenix Picture: Daniel Pockett (Getty Images)

Basketball has come alive in Melbourne’s south-east of late with NBA stars Zach Randolph, Josh Childress and Al Harrington buying into the Phoenix ahead of its debut season while Caravan king Gerry Ryan has taken over the Dandenong Rangers WNBL licence held by the Dandenong Basketball Association.