Mitch has already turned down offers from the AFL

Yes he could get drafted but i'm not sure whether he could 'make' it in AFL

He could. However Im not sure he would be too keen being on the AFL rookie list wage of around $20k.

He could be earning $100 in a few years in basketball

$100!
Wow, I think thats too much :P

Saville was getting 200k at his peak

Last year , Clarke ; " Mitch Creek didn't wanna go to college. If i didn't sign him , he would've been lost to the AFL . "

Yes Rookie wage is $50K

Rookie listed is $20k

A big difference in what they actually are. A rookie is on the team list, while a rookie listed player is not in the 40 (they only get upgraded through injury/retirements).

Just FYI, rookie list wage for this last season was $35,400. And that number should go up a fair bit with the new CBA.

Apologies - rookie list was $35k

1rd rd pick $59k (plus match payments)
2nd rd pick $55k (pmp)
3rd rd pick $50k (pmp)

It is expected to go up to 50k for rookie listed players next season. In saying that some teams might shorten their rookie lists possibly.

It was about $20 for rookie listed players last time I check which was about 5 years ago.

What would the best NBL player be earning these days?

Lets be honest, AFL is a massive dead end. once your in it thats it. yay you get to aim to win a premiership and then it repeats again next season, and the season after. you cant play abroad, you cant play for a world cup/championship.

i dont mind footy but its to be a bit of the same after a while.

Not sure about being a star. It takes years of practice to make AFL. Mitch Creek has not even got a reliable jumpshot yet in his choosen sport

Agree with dud. Creek has none of the attributes that make Pendles a star. Not saying he couldn't become a good player but it's far from automatic considering 195 is probably too short to be a pure ruckman despite his hops.

mystro I think top NBL players would get about $180 - $200k. Thats reserved for the imports more often than not.

To be so confident that creek could be a superstar in the AFL is absurd. He'd get drafted cos he's an athlete .. beyond that who knows. He spent every day basketball training at the AIS and came out of it without a jumpshot .. so WHO KNOWS!

rog, I think youd be surprised what a lot of imports get. In a lot of leagues around the world the imports arent the highest paid. Supply and demand, lots of good Americans and only so many import spots.

Making the AFL is relatively easier than the NBL, every week there are almost 400 players getting a game. In the NBL there are only roughly 60-65 Aussies getting on the court. When you consider the similarity in particiaption rates and that only about 10 top players arent in the NBL it is a much more elite competition talent-wise.

Loughton?

We lost a few basketballers to College this year......AFL should keep an eye on them!!!

I personally think Mitch will stay with Basketball as he's still young and developing, and he has a plethora of options when it comes to playing overseas...remember he's not even 20 yet and his game is only gonna get better...if he develops his game well enough we'll be lucky to even keep him here in the NBL

Creek was offered a rookie contract by 3 Melbourne based AFL clubs as a 17 year old after playing just half a season of football. I think that in itself says that AFL clubs believe the kid could be a star - and I agree.

197cm, 98kg, enormous leap, fantastic co-ordination, massive aerobic capacity and a mature head on his shoulders, what more could you ask for in a future CHF?

In saying this, the amount of interest in Creek's future plans from basketball clubs abroad would suggest the kid will be off and venturing the world in the not too distant future making a lot more money than the NBL could ever offer.

And for all the haters - remember the kid is only 19, he works hard at his game and when he hits his prime at 26 - 28, the world is his oyster!

No way he would play footy, the money is miniscule compared to global sports, plus he said he enjoys basketball a lot more. That's win-win.