South East Melbourne Phoenix star Mitch Creek says he’s excited to return to Adelaide for the first time since he left the 36ers.
The Australian Boomers regular told Kane Cornes and Andrew Hayes on SEN SA Breakfast that he’s unsure of the reception he’ll receive.
“I might get booed by 10,000 people; I might get cheered by 10,000 people. It doesn’t really faze me a whole lot,” he said
“At the end of the day I’m going out there to win, for me that’s the only focus.”
The 27-year old spent eight years at the Adelaide 36ers before exercising a clause in his contract to take up options abroad in Europe and the NBA before moving to the NBL's newest franchise the Phoenix.
Creek said he’s looking forward to taking the court with some of his old teammates.
“It’s going to be exciting, I have a lot of fun running up and down trying to talk a bit of s--t to Joey (Wright) on the sidelines and a lot of the boys are obviously still close with me so having a few laughs on court is always good fun,” he said.
“I’ve played them twice now, both in Melbourne so it’s a little bit different when you play at home.
“Not playing at Adelaide Arena is going to be weird, it’s going to be a different feeling but at the same time you have to adapt and get used to all the situations.”
After a successful 2018-19 NBL season, Creek ventured overseas and made his NBA debut, playing matches for the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Creek said the adjustment from bench player to marquee was one that took time.
“It’s a very different role. When I played in the NBA it was much more of a facilitator off the bench and someone who was more of a cheerleader than a player sometimes,” he said.
“Although that was a role I relished and enjoyed, I came to South East Melbourne and had to make the change from playing no minutes to 2 minutes to playing 35 to 38 a game.”
Despite ambitions to one day return to the NBA, Creek says his focus is on the future of the Phoenix.
“We’re doing a great job, we’re getting great crowds, playing great basketball and we’re getting better every day,” he said.
“We want to be a fully sustainable, very professional club that delivers on and off the court for players and also the community.”
SEN SA will broadcast Creek’s return to Adelaide from 6:30pm ACDST.
Listen to Mitch Creek's chat on SEN SA Breakfast below