HORSHAM’S Mitch Creek won gold with the Australian Boomers at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup on Monday morning.
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The side scored a convincing 79-56 victory against Iran in the final.
Creek contributed 12 points at 62.5 percent from the field in the win. The Horsham basketballer also pulled down four boards and had four assists.
He said the win was an absolutely fantastic feeling.
“Just finding out I was in the team to come over had me emotional,” he said.
“Now to be part of the first Australian team to win the Asia Cup, words can’t describe it.”
The Boomers came out firing in the final to establish a 12-2 early on and did not look back on the way to the championship win.
“We had a system in place that we were able to play to,” Creek said. “To come out with the win is a huge credit to Andrej Lemanis.”
Australia was undefeated in its three group fixtures before it overcame China and then New Zealand to progress through to the final.
Creek was the most prolific scorer for the Boomers during the tournament and was 14th overall.
He averaged 14.7 points per game while scoring at close to 70 percent. He also chipped in with 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
He said he could not have imagined a better way to start his international career.
“I’ve received a lot of messages saying I was unlucky not to be picked in the team of the championship and things like that but a gold medal is far better,” he said.
“At the end of the day that’s what I’m playing for.”
The experience of playing his first international tournament has left Creek hungry for more opportunities in the future.
The next focus for the Boomers will be the FIBA Asian World Cup qualifiers which start in November.
“No matter what it is, no matter when it is, and no matter where it is every time you pull on the green and gold is special,” Creek said.
“Every time I hear the national anthem play before the game I get goosebumps.”
Creek said he hoped to get back to Horsham at some point to run a two-day camp but was unsure of when he would be available.
“I also need to thank all my family and friends who have continued to support me since I left Horsham,” he said.
“They’ve played a massive part in helping me get here.”