Creek to don Aussie jersey

Horsham basketball sensation Mitch Creek will suit up for Australia in its final two FIBA World Cup qualifying games.

Creek will wear the green and gold of the Boomers in matches against Kazakhstan in Astana on Friday morning Australian time and Iran in Tehran on Monday.

He previously represented the Boomers during the 2017 FIBA Asian Cup.

Creek parlayed his recent success with the NBA’S Brooklyn Nets into a call-up to the national squad.

He became the 11th Australian to play in the NBA this season when he signed consecutive 10-day contracts with the Nets.

During his stint with the team he appeared in four games, averaging 3.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists a game.

Creek returned to Brooklyn’s NBA G League development team, the Long Island Nets, after he was released from his second 10-day contract.

The new-look Australian squad for World Cup qualifiers will be relatively inexperienced, featuring several players from Australia’s NBL and various European leagues, as well as another NBA G League player, Isaac Humphries.

The team will look to Creek and Mangok Mathiang – the only players with NBA experience – for leadership. Creek and Mathiang previously represented Australia as team-mates during the 2015 World University Games.

Head coach Andrej Lemanis said he was excited to coach Creek again, and would count on him to make big contributions.

“Mitch bleeds the gold,” he said.

“He’s been doing wonderfully well in the US but for him to now be back in a position to represent Australia is awesome.

“I’m excited to see his development and his experience will be an important piece for the team in these two games.”

The results of the upcoming matches will not affect Australia, which has already qualified for the World Cup, but Lemanis said there would be no complacency.

If Creek excels during qualifiers Lemanis said he would be considered for national selection during the World Cup.

“We always take these games seriously,” he said.

“The fact that we have qualified helps, but we are still there to win and of course we want to represent Australian basketball on the world stage the right way.

“This team of 12 has an opportunity to show what they have to offer on the world stage, and with the World Cup the next international event, it is a great time to be playing for Australia.” green and