Article by David Istrate – published on Sunday, September 28, 2025 22:42 / Updated Sunday, September 28, 2025 22:51
Mitchell Creek (33 years old) has signed this summer with U-BT Cluj-Napoca and has quickly become one of the most interesting players who have ever evolved in black and white. A true globe-trotter, with experience even in NBA, the Australian basketball player has so far impressed not only through his sports qualities, but also through his various passions: parachutism, Jiu-Jitsu, Formula 1 and art.
This summer, the management of U-BT Cluj-Napoca made the decision to mostly change the team's group, and one of the 8 transfers made by the Romanian champion is Mitch Creek, an Australian player with great experience, who seems to love the basketball as the first day.
Mitch Creek loves basketball, but does not seek identity in sports: “My life has changed”
For years, the athlete from Horsham, Victoria, spends his summers playing basketball in different leagues. For example, in recent months, Creek has evolved for Vancouver Bandits, in the spectacular championship of Canada, being called the MVP of the League.
At Saturday, September 27 training, which was open to the public, Creek took advantage of each break to improve his throw and get used to the room he will play in the next 9 months. However, the 33 -year -old basketball player refuses to define himself from the prism of the sport he practices.
“It has changed over the years (no perspective on sport). Basketball was an identity, because I thought I wanted to be. I thought to be a famous basketball player, to be successful, to go out to the city, to meet girls and to go to cool places, that was about. Could not be further from the truth“, Creek told the official website of Eurocup.
“There are times when it is very fun. It is very strong to have such situations. But, as I have matured over the years, my life has changed. And for me now, basketball is an opportunity to express myself on the ground. To express myself in a way that makes others say:” It is not a damn. People to question the cliché about what a basketball player means, what a professional athlete means, ”added Brooklyn Nets's former player.
Mitch Creek, throwing at the basket, in the t-shirt of U-BT Cluj-Napoca/Photo: U-bt.basketball
Parachutism, Mitch Creek's passion: “I jumped from war planes”
Mitch Creek has many other passions and, as proof, when he arrived at the airport in Cluj-Napoca, brought with him a parachute. After only a few days, U-BT's new player went and made a first jump in Romania.
“I do not do it for adrenaline. I do not feel adrenaline in any way,” he explained. “You approach the day understanding that you have learned a skill or hobby. You have trained to be as safe as possible, as when driving a car or using a sharp knife to cut vegetables. You have to train these skills.”
For Creek, parachutism has become a habit, it has about 350 jumps activethe first being made at 14, after his mother offered him this experience as a gift.
“I jumped and landed in many truly amazing places: at air shows, on beaches, in the courts of people. I jumped from hot air balloons for some people, from helicopters. I jumped from war planes.
How does it feel when it is thrown from the plane? “I simply escape and I am alone. I don't worry. I don't care about anything else in the world. It is about me, and no one else in the world can do or say something at that time to alter my state of self-awareness, self-love and self-respect. And I think that's why it's so calming. ”
Mitch Creek started practicing Jiu-Jitsu: “It was terrifying”
Always with a smile on his lips and jokes prepared, Creek has revealed that he has not lost his sense of adventure and curiosity so far, and they lead him to all his activities.
“All these different people are under the umbrella of a single person. I'm not a professional basketball player. I do not identify myself as a professional basketball player. I'm Mitch Creek. I am a person. And that person has many different characters due to my multiple personalities, ”explained U-BT veteran.
In addition to parachuting, Creek has discovered other passions, such as art, Formula 1 and Jiu-Jitsu. The Australian was shocked when he went to the first Jiu-Jitsu course and a 60-year-old man, with a weaker physique than his, he had blocked without effort.
“It was one of the most terrifying things I have ever done. To be suffocated and to be bent in places where your body should not normally bend, by small people – men, women, young, old, did not matter who they were or what they looked. ”
In addition to Formula 1, where he tries not to miss anything, no qualifications session, no training and no race, Creek is passionate about motorcycling. He has already taken advantage of the good weather in Cluj and came with the scooter to Barena. Creek also likes vintage cars and has revealed that he is currently working on a 1984 Chevrolet C10.
Mitch Creek, in Barena/Photo: Facebook (U-BT Cluj-Napoca)
I just want people to realize that anything is possible. Through constant effort and intention to break down your goals and to work gradually on them, whatever is achievable. I am the proof of this. So, if I can inspire the next generation to try and dream on a large scale, then believe it at any price. It will be worth it
– Mitch Creek
In season 2025-2026, U-BT Cluj-Napoca will evolve both in Eurocup and in the ABA League. The onset of black and white on their own ground will be recorded On Wednesday, October 1, from 7:00 pm, when Mihai Silvășan's band will receive the visit of Bahcesehir Istanbul, one of the title favorites.
