Mitch Creek Signs with the Phoenix for Next 3 Years

Phoenix marque player Mitch Creek will be at the South East Melbourne Phoenix for the next three years.

The 30-year-old expressed his desire to stay in the Heartland and finish the job he started in the club's inaugural year.

"I think being here from the start is something special at the moment; it is only me, Kizza (Kyle Adnam) and Dane player-wise, then Simon and Eric and some of the staff. A few of us are hanging around, so hopefully, we keep going, keep pushing ourselves and one day call this club a championship-winning club," he said.

"There were a lot of rumours going that I was signing at other clubs, but I came out and shut that down and said if I was going to be in the NBL, I was going to be at the Phoenix. You always want to look at where you come from and where you are as a player; I didn't want to be one of those guys who bounced around from club to club. I want to show loyalty where it's shown to me. Tommy and the club have been amazing, so more than happy to stay here and see what we can do."

(Mitch Creek will remain at the Phoenix for a further three years.)

Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer described Creek as an integral part of the club. Both on and off the floor.

"Mitch had his best year yet on the court and was again in the MVP conversation for much of the season," Greer said. "He took out the club MVP and was among our best players in almost every game.

"In addition to that, he continued to connect with our fans off-court and remains a favourite player among the Heartland faithful."

For his part, Creek feels as if he and the Phoenix have something to prove next season.

"Any time you don't win, there is unfinished business; for me, South East Melbourne is an area I can see myself doing things around, and it's a great community to be part of. Hopefully, this is a place I can be successful on the court and off it, and being able to align myself with a club that has such high values in that area, has a great brand, and is in touch with the community."

After missing the finals, last season Creek had the following message for Phoenix fans.

"Stay with us; there is a lot of good basketball in us all, we put ourselves in a position to be successful, and we understand what it takes; although we didn't get the rewards we hoped for this season, we assure you we will be working our absolute butts off," he said.

"I can safely say that last game in Perth; guys put their bodies on the line to try and get that win; we wanted to go out on a high, and to knock off a streak like that was something special; we did it for the Phoenix fans, the Phoenix faithful who have come and supported us."

Phoenix Media (18/5/22)