Mitch Creek Named MVP Finalist

Phoenix co-captain Mitch Creek has been named as a finalist for the NBL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, presented by Hungry Jack's. 

Creek is enjoying a career-best campaign averaging 23.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. 

He recorded a career-high 46 points in the round 11 double overtime win against the Sydney Kings and has played all 28 games for the Phoenix this season.

(Creek scored an outlandish 46 points in round 11 against the Sydney Kings.)

"Mitch has had an incredibly consistent season and has done it for a number of years, and probably more so than Xavier at this level, at an incredibly high level. I think Creeky is the best player in the league this season, and Bryce is probably second," Phoenix head coach Simon Mitchell said. "Xavier has had a great year, and you could throw Milton Doyle in there as well; there will be a worthy winner. But I hope it's Mitch."

Bryce Cotton and Xavier Cooks join Creek as MVP finalists.

(Creek has been in MVP calibre form all season.)

The All-NBL First Team, All-NBL Second Team, Executive of the Year, Referee of the Year presented by Europcar, Gametime by Kmart Award and Fans' MVP presented by Chemist Warehouse will also be announced on the night. 

A panel of experts, including Andrew Gaze, Greg Hire, Matt Logue, Jo Healy, Casey Frank, John Casey and Olgun Uluc, selected the nominees for each of the MVP, Best Sixth Man, Best Defensive Player and Most Improved Player. 

Coaches and captains from each of the 10 teams then voted on the nominations, with no votes allowed for a player from their team.

The winner of The Andrew Gaze MVP Award, along with all other awards for the 2022/23 season, will be announced on Tuesday, February 7, live on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel from 8.30pm AEDT.

Phoenix Media (30/01/2023)