'Never' is 305 days for Boomers star Mitch Creek

• ‍'Almost signed with Adelaide': Mitch Creek reveals return was close‍
• Aussies in NBA history: Mitch Creek‍
• Mitch Creek: 'I will never play in this league again'

“Never” is 305 days in Australian Boomers forward Mitch Creek’s world.

Creek, 34, declared on August 17, 2025, that "I will never play in this league again, I'm telling you right now, a lot of players won't ever come back and play in this league” after he stunningly accused the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) of influencing the outcome of his Vancouver Bandits 105-103 loss to the Calgary Surge in the Western Conference in Canada.

The 1.96m wing re-signed with the Bandits yesterday (Monday, June 15, 2026), fresh off leading U-BT Cluj-Napoca to the Romanian national championship on June 4.

Mitch Creek Romanian Finals Series

• ‍‍Games: 4 │ Points: 59 │ Rebounds: 18 │ Assists: 4 │ Averages: 14.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists │ FG: 21-from-39 (53.8%)

Creek was the 2025 CEBL MVP, putting up 24.4 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 34 minutes.

He is also part of the Boomers' 12-man team for the two-game FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers in Perth next month.

Australian Boomers Squad – FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

• Taran Armstrong – Tasmania JackJumpers
• Josh Bannan – Tasmania JackJumpers
• Bryce Cotton – Adelaide 36ers
• Alex Condon – Florida Gators (NCAA)
• Mitch Creek – Vancouver Bandits (CEBL).
• Angus Glover – South East Melbourne Phoenix
• Ben Henshall – Perth Wildcats
• Jack McVeigh – Cairns Taipans
• Elijah Pepper – Perth Wildcats
• Keanu Pinder – Cairns Taipans
• Tyrese Proctor – Cleveland Cavaliers
• Wani Swaka Lo Buluk – Illawarra Hawks
  

Creek’s Canadian backflip comes after he declared: "At the end of the basketball game (the referees) look at you and apologise, that they're not making the decisions and it's coming from above," Creek said after the game to a reporter for Global News standing in front of a Vancouver Bandits sign.

"Their words, quote: "It's not us it's coming from above'."

At the time, The Vancouver Bandits website reported: "After three consecutive foul calls, which sent Vancouver to the line, which were overturned by independent official review, a back-and-forth Target Score Time came down to one final play that put the ball in (Evan) Gilyard II’s hands. The import was fouled by Kyle Mangas while attempting a triple, sending him to the line for the win.

"After an official review — all foul calls that result in potential game-winning free throws are automatically reviewed — the on-court decision was confirmed, and Gilyard II nailed all his attempts at the charity stripe, booking the Surge’s spot in the Western Conference Final."

"I will never play in this league again, I'm telling you right now, a lot of players won't ever come back and play in this league," Creek continued.

"There is a lot of heartbreak right now, but I guarantee you this league has taken an enormous step back in respect on the world stage."

CEBL swept Creek’s accusation under the rug, not reporting his claims anywhere on their site, but were glowing in his MVP season assessment.

The CEBL website said of Creek's MVP award: "Creek’s leadership and production were instrumental in Vancouver’s league-best 19-5 record this season. He finished second in the CEBL in scoring with 24.4 points per game, ranked third in three-point percentage (48.6%) and fourth in field-goal percentage (58.4%). The 6-foot-5 Australian's 488 total points were the second-highest in the league in 2025 and the fourth-most ever recorded in a single CEBL season. He also ranked among the league's top 10 in several other categories, including free throws made (2nd – 110), field goals made (3rd – 171), minutes played (6th – 687.7), and steals (9th – 30)."

Creek rejoins the Bandits, who are leading the CEBL Western Conference at 9-2.