Mitch Creek: 'I will never play in this league again'

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Former NBL and Australian Boomers star Mitch Creek has 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 on August 17, 2025 (AEST).

"At the end of the basketball game (the referees) look at you and apologise, that they're not making the decisions and 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'."

Just days later, Bandits captain Creek was named the CEBL Most Valuable Player after leading the Vancouver to a 19-5 regular season record. The Vancouver Sun has not reported on the accusation nor has the CEBL on the same page was Creek's MVP announcement.

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."

The Bandits report didn't include Creek's claim, only his pride in the Bandits' performance.

“We hunted them down, got to a position to win the game,” Creek said

“We did our job … I’m beyond proud of this organisation.

"It’s been an incredible season, we had so much fun. But it’s so heartbreaking.”

This is the foul that the officials overturned after a review. It would have put the Bandits on the line to win the game — as the first team to 105 (the target score).

Creek recovered the ball, dribbled to the nail and handed it off to his teammate, who drove to the bucket. The referees initially called it a hands foul.

On the next play, Gilyard II took an out-of-control three that was whistled for a foul with minimal, if any contact from the Bandits defender. The review awarded him the game-winning three free throws.

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)."