Mitch Creek keeps NBA dreams on hold as COVID leaves future up in air
If not for an injury and COVID-19, Mitch Creek could have returned to the NBA.
The South East Melbourne Phoenix star had an NBA side waiting to bring him over for his third stint in the US league in February, but a knee injury late in the NBL season and then the pandemic-enforced enforced break in the NBA season put an end to that opportunity.
South East Melbourne Phoenix basketballer Mitch Creek is keeping his NBA prospects in perspective as the pandemic continues.
So instead of pressing his claims for a full season in the US league, he has spent the pandemic working out with teammate and housemate Adam Gibson as they await confirmation of when the next NBL season will begin and where it will be.
At this stage, that is likely not going to be until the end of January.
The NBA is finishing its season in Orlando at present and the ongoing threat of COVID-19 means the next US season won't start until Christmas Day at the earliest.
Creek, who spent time with Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves in 2019, knows he has no control over when the NBL and the NBA will start and finish their seasons and whether he will be able to take up any NBA offers next year.
So he's keeping things in perspective.
"There are millions of people out of work, there are thousands of people who have lost businesses and a huge dent in the marketplace which is killing people mentally as well as physically – that is what I am worried about, not where I will be playing basketball," Creek said.
"That's the little ant in a big yard of lions. I'm worried about the bigger things at hand."
NBA teams are still following Creek's progress from afar and his Phoenix side want to push for their first play-off berth when the NBL season begins.
"This gives me even more motivation to be as fit as possible, be as complete a player as possible and to help my team be more successful every single day," Creek said.
"If I do that, it gives me a chance to go back there at some point.
"It's just the time and place and being the right fit for the right team. I've been the right fit twice and I'd like to make that a third and turn it into a forever thing but we don't always get what we want.
"I'm excited to be playing. It's about enjoying the game of basketball and being healthy which is something we take very much for granted."
The Phoenix look set to have a strong side with Creek fit and Australian guard Cameron Gliddon joining the team. The Melbourne-based players have been training several times a week under professional athlete provisions in Melbourne's stage four lockdown.