Phoenix Rising With New Faces

NBL23 MVP candidate and South East Melbourne star Mitch Creek may be living it up in Puerto Rico with Mets de Guaynabo during the off-season, but that doesn’t mean he’s not locked in to all that’s going on with his hometown club.

Creek has teamed up with NBL23 teammate Gary Browne, Sydney import Tim Soares and former NBA All-Star Demarcus Cousins in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, and his side currently sit fourth in their group with a 13-12 record.

Despite being on the other side of the world to his NBL24 teammates and coaches, Creek says he’s consistently touching base with South East Melbourne’s powerbrokers.

“Having Mike Kelly in is fantastic,” Creek told the SEM website. “I have a lot of respect for Mike, I know coming into this we’re going to have a great relationship on the court and also off the court.

“I think that’s one thing that’s been great right now is the check-ins. He’s calling, he’s texting, I’m trying to learn about his family and him as well as a person – not just as a basketballer – because the basketball is the easy stuff, it’s the connections you have off the court that makes teams so successful.

“We stay in touch about where he's at, where I’m at, players he’s interested in, where I fit with things, my role and what he sees as a leader and off the court, all the little bits, we’re trying to help each other as much as possible.”

Creek was one of just three players at the Phoenix who finished the NBL23 campaign with a contract heading into next season, alongside Alan Williams and Reuben Te Rangi.

Owen Foxwell was quickly elevated to the main roster, and since Kelly arrived at the club, South East Melbourne has been active in free agency.

Ben Ayre, Matt Kenyon, Rhys Vague and Gorjok Gak have all committed to the club, while cult hero Anzac Rissetto has also re-signed.

“I definitely love the players we’ve got,” Creek said. “We’ve signed some extremely exciting talents, some very hard-nosed guys, very hard workers, defensive-minded guys, [while] obviously retaining guys from last year.

“Having a good base and a good core is essential to every team taking that next step and progressing.”

While European seasons continue to inch closer to deciding the campaign’s victors, Creek’s season in Puerto Rico is far from done.

With 25 games in the books, the club has ten matches remaining to secure its post-season position. Four teams from each group progresses to the playoffs, and Mets currently occupy the final spot in Group B behind Bayamon, Carolina and Santurce.

“We’re living on the water in San Juan, and we’ve got a beautiful apartment here,” he said. “It’s a nice distraction from cold Melbourne.

“If we stop talking I can hear the beach with all the windows closed … I’m very, very lucky to be here at the moment.

“We don’t know how long we’ve got to play this game, I don’t know how long I have, but while we’re here we’re going to enjoy it, we’re going to be great, we’re going to have a good time and we’re going to bring the fans along with us.”

The Phoenix will kick off their NBL24 campaign in the opening game of the season, where they take on local rivals Melbourne United on Thursday, September 28.