He is one of the most recognisable basketball players in Australia, having played 340 games in the NBL and represented the Australian Boomers at the FIBA World Cup, but former South East Melbourne Phoenix star Mitch Creek is officially taking his talents to a new destination.
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Fox Sports Australia can reveal that Creek, 34, has signed with Al-Ula in the Saudi Basketball League (SBL), with his new club based in Medina.
It is understood the deal will make Creek the highest-paid Australian basketball player outside of the NBA, with the Horsham-born forward set to begin the next chapter of his career in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ula is no stranger to Australian basketball talent, having had former NBA player and South Sudanese-Australian big man Thon Maker on its roster last season. Maker averaged 14.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in the SBL.
The move does not completely shut the door on Creek potentially returning to the NBL in the future, but it does appear to close it that little bit further.
Across 13 seasons in the NBL, eight with the Adelaide 36ers followed by five with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, Creek suited up in 340 games. His best statistical season came in 2023-24, when he averaged 23.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
His NBL career-high came on December 18, 2022, against the Sydney Kings, when he poured in 46 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a thrilling 113-112 victory, shooting 15-of-27 (55.6%) from the field.
Creek is no stranger to the NBA either, having first spent time with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2018 NBA Summer League before being offered an opportunity with the Brooklyn Nets.
He would go on to play for Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, before signing a 10-day contract with the Nets in January 2019. Creek made his NBA debut that same day against the New York Knicks.
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After his time with Brooklyn came to an end, Creek landed another NBA opportunity with the Minnesota Timberwolves, initially signing a 10-day contract before remaining with the franchise for the rest of the season. He later suited up for Minnesota during the 2019 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Since his departure from the NBL, Creek’s talents have taken him around the world, with stints in Puerto Rico, China, Canada, Türkiye and Romania.
Most recently, Creek starred in Canada’s CEBL, walking away with the league’s Most Valuable Player award while also earning All-CEBL First Team honours, before signing with U-BT Cluj-Napoca in Romania’s Liga Națională (LNBM).
His time with Cluj-Napoca produced one of the most successful seasons of his career, helping guide the club to its sixth consecutive championship while also earning All-ABA League Team and All-EuroCup Second Team honours.
That campaign also saw Creek produce a memorable 40-point performance against Neptunas Klaipeda, who featured none other than new Brisbane Bullets import Arnas Velička at the time.
Now, Creek heads to Saudi Arabia in what is understood to be a lucrative deal that will make him the highest-paid Australian basketball player outside of the NBA.
The 34-year-old will join an Al-Ula side coming off a dominant 2025-26 campaign, finishing the season with a 17-1 record before winning the SBL championship, with Creek now looking to continue his strong form and help the club defend its crown.