Creek World Cup bound

Horsham’s Mitch Creek has been selected in a 17-man Australian Boomers squad to compete at this year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.

Creek, who made his debut in America’s NBA last season and is currently in the United States hoping to earn a new contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, is one of nine players with NBA experience in the squad.

He last represented Australia in World Cup qualifying games in Kazakhstan and Iran in February this year, but has never played for his country in a World Cup or Olympics.

Australia has never medalled in World Cup or Olympic competition, but will feel confident about its chances in China in September.

NBA All Star Ben Simmons will make his national team debut after a successful season with the Philadelphia 76ers, giving the team plenty of star power.

Among the other high-profile faces named in the squad are Golden State’s Andrew Bogut, San Antonio’s Patty Mills, Utah’s Joe Ingles and Cleveland’s Matthew Dellavedova.

The team will play warm-up games against Canada and the USA in Perth and Melbourne in August before the start of the World Cup.