The South East Melbourne Phoenix have made a strong start to the NBL offseason, locking in their franchise star Mitch Creek to a three-year extension.
Creek was the first marquee signing made by the Phoenix at their inception in 2019, and over the last three seasons has more than repaid them, qualifying for the All-NBL Second Team in both 2021 and 2022, and averaged 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3 assists during the 2021-22 season.
NBL 2022-23 Roster Tracker: Signings, departures, and re-signings of every team
Despite failing to qualify for the NBL Finals last season, the Phoenix clearly like what they have in Creek, securing him with an extension that will see him in the green and white until at least 2025.
In re-signing, Creek is hoping that he can continue to build a winning culture in South East Melbourne, and one day hoist the illusive NBL Championship trophy.
"I think being here from the start is something special at the moment; it is only me, (Kyle Adnam) and Dane (Pineau) player-wise, then Simon (Mitchell) and Eric (Hollingsworth) and some of the staff," Creek said.
"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.
"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."
Mitch Creek has re-signed with the @SEMelbPhoenix on a three-year deal while head coach Simon Mitchell has also signed on to return for #NBL23 📝 pic.twitter.com/kA3e8oCeAa
— The NBL (@NBL) May 17, 2022
The Phoenix were busy Wednesday, also signing head coach Simon Mitchell to a one-year extension.
Under Mitchell's first three years at the helm, the Phoenix achieved a record of 43-49, but was able to lead the team to the semi-finals in only their second year, losing to Melbourne United 2-1.
The Phoenix's 2021-22 season fell slightly short of expectations, due in part to the loss of Ryan Broekhoff due to injury at the tail end of the year.
Speaking about the previous season, Mitchell said that he is keen to prove that the team has much more to give.
"It’s always about the grand picture of this franchise moving forward,” Mitchell said.
"We had a great start to the season, but it didn’t end the way we would have liked.
"We’ve got to this point, we’ve done a review of the season now, where it worked, where it didn’t, and where we need to make improvements."
Mitchell and Creek join Reuben Te Rangi as Phoenix who have rejoined the team, as South East Melbourne look to keep their central nucleus intact.
