Aussie men in Europe: Four names that have been putting up numbers
These four men are flying the flag and finding career-best success abroad in Europe.
Historically, Australia has always boasted a strong contingent of male basketball players who ply their trade overseas, and Europe remains a popular destination. In the 2024-25 basketball season, a number of Aussies scattered throughout the continent have made a name for themselves, and in particular these names below. With eye-catching statistical outputs that have largely gone under the radar, especially with the limited coverage for European basketball back home in Australia, let’s take a look at four players that have arguably enjoyed career-best seasons recently.
Mitch Creek - Trabzonspor (Turkish TBL)
Mitch Creek is one of the NBL’s most productive players of the past decade, and explored overseas opportunities in 2024, after making the 2023-24 All-NBL Second Team. Creek joined Trabzonspor B.K., a club that reemerged in 2024 after a six-year hiatus from professional competition, during which they overcame financial woes. Playing in the Turkish second tier, Trabzonspor amassed a 26-8 record and finished as regular season champions, earning promotion to the top tier BSL (Basketball Super League) for next season.
Creek averaged 21.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in his 21 TBL appearances for Trabzonspor. The Aussie ranked eighth in the TBL for scoring average, and with a 56.6% clip from the field, was arguably the most efficient volume scorer in the league. Creek also drilled three-pointers at a career-high 45.1% clip from downtown, while attempting a touch under four long range attempts per game. Very few players can achieve this level of marksmanship from distance while shooting free throws at a mediocre clip, but Creek - who shot 70% at the charity stripe for Trabzonspor - somehow found a way.
The hard nosed forward plays well above his 6’5 build, often bullying his way into the paint and applying his hulking frame to good effect. Creek is adept at finishing through contact, with either hand, and can easily back down smaller defenders. The 33 year old also has some nifty moves up his sleeve, such as the occasional floater when he can’t quite reach the rack. But in recent years, it’s the developing jump shot which has taken Creek’s game to the next level. Now a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, opposing defenders can barely afford to give Creek an inch, otherwise he will make them pay.
The veteran hasn’t lost a step since leaving the NBL, and South East Melbourne fans will be lamenting his absence. After his Turkish stint came to an end, and Trabzonspor secured their promotion, Creek sought opportunities in Canada, signing with the Vancouver Bandits. He has left the door ajar for an NBL return, saying in an April interview that he would “would like to come back and play in Australia at some point”. Although the NBL is a growing league, the financial allure of European basketball remains too strong, Creek added.
“Albeit there's some great growth there [in the NBL], it is starting to come down to, OK, I want to give Europe a real hot crack for maybe two or three years, put myself in a great position financially.”
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Tristan Forsyth (Ammerud Basket - Norwegian BLNO)
Tristan Forsyth has emerged as one of Australia’s lesser known but most prolific big men in the 2024-25 season, putting up gaudy numbers for Ammerud Basket in the Norwegian top division. Ammerud wound up with a 15-15 season record, finishing in the middle of the 11-team table at sixth, but Forsyth enjoyed a breakout season on an individual level. The former Tasmania JackJumper averaged 21.8 points and 10.2 rebounds across 23 appearances, including 4.0 offensive boards per game.
The well-built forward/centre stands at 6’10 tall and knows his way around the basket. With a smooth lefty touch, Forsyth is capable of scoring on both sides of the hoop, although he does have a preference for the left side. The 27 year old is adept at using the backboard to his advantage, and has shown flashes of using his weaker right hand, when launching a close range hook shot. Forsyth also boasts impressive mobility for his size, occasionally putting the ball on the floor for an aggressive drive. Few players can stop the hulking big man when he builds up a head of steam, and thus Forsyth was able to dominate in the Norwegian first division, as a walking double double.
Forsyth’s jump shot is still a work in progress, but there are encouraging signs. He attempted 2.7 treys per game for Ammerud, making 34% of them, while shooting a respectable 69.3% from the foul line. If Forsyth can expand his range and become a reliable perimeter shooter, his value will increase exponentially, given the importance of spacing in modern basketball. And while he may not be a traditional rim protector, the Aussie did contribute 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, making a defensive impact in the box score.
After his Norwegian adventure wrapped up, Forsyth returned to Australia, recently suiting up for Geelong in the NBL1 South competition.
Credit: Tania Millard (@3 Point Photography) via NBL1
Forsyth hasn’t lost a step, averaging 20.9 points and 9.1 rebounds in twelve games for Geelong thus far. In view of his impressive production both locally and overseas, Forsyth would be short odds to earn an NBL recall, although it remains to be seen whether he elects to pursue alternative options overseas.
Akol Mawein (Mega Tbilisi - Georgian Super Liga)
Akol Mawein is a name that most Australian basketball fans may not be familiar with, as the 24 year old kicked off his professional career overseas. After concluding his collegiate career with Sacramento State in 2024, Mawein chose to join the Georgian Super Liga and suit up for Mega Tbilisi, a team based out of the country’s capital. Mawein has been a force in his new home, averaging 19.8 points and 9.3 rebounds on 56.3% shooting. He wound up leading the league in both points and rebounds - an impressive feat for his first year of professional basketball.
Mawein is an athletic big man who stands at 6’9 tall and moves with impressive pace in the open court. He is dangerous in transition sequences, but equally adept in his knowhow on setting screens and functioning as a cutter and in the half court. Although his handle is still developing, Mawein’s combination of size, strength and speed allows him to drive from the perimeter with good effect. The 24 year old is an above the rim athlete, occasionally producing emphatic dunks that make it onto the highlight reel.
In keeping with his athleticism, Mawein has potential to develop into a high level rim protector, averaging 1.7 blocks for Mega Tbilisi. The rising big man is reported to have a 7’3 wingspan, so as far as physical tools go, he certainly isn’t lacking. Mawein was also active in the passing lanes, producing 1.5 steals on average. Mobile rim protectors with length don’t grow on trees, and Mawein is certainly a player that NBL teams will be keeping an eye on.
Mawein’s jump shot is still a work in progress, as with many other big men, but he did make 33.8% of his 2.8 three point attempts per game. If Mawein can increase that figure to near-40% he will be a near-unstoppable two-way big man. With a free throw clip of 68.2% however, the 24 year old still has room for improvement in his underlying shooting stroke. Mawein recently played his first game for Mackay in the NBL1 North, dropping 23 points, ten boards, four blocks and four steals, so he will be one to watch in the coming weeks.
Biwali Bayles - BBC Nyon (Swiss LNA)
Biwali Bayles is a name many NBL fans will recognise, as the young point guard played three NBL seasons before heading overseas in 2024. The 23 year old joined BBC Nyon, a team that ultimately finished fifth on a 11-13 record, but Bayles was a shining light in their up-and-down season. Ranking sixth in the league for scoring, Bayles posted 18.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assist per game, emerging as an effective all-around contributor.
Bayles is a swashbuckling point guard with blinding speed, fearless drives and the confidence to launch a jumper from anywhere. He shot just 30.8% from downtown - on 4.2 attempts per game - but managed a 43.7% clip from the field overall, which is impressive when taking into account the difficulty on some of his shots. Bayles has notably improved as a free throw shooter, making a touch under 78% from the charity stripe, on five attempts per game.
Bayles thrives as a primary ball handler, and his speed is mesmerising when pushing the ball coast to coast. Equally comfortable as a scorer or distributor, Bayles can definitely handle the decision making required of a high level point guard. And with 2.4 steals per game for BBC Nyon, he is a frequent pest in the passing lanes. Bayles stands at just 6’1 tall, but despite lacking in length on the defensive end, he has the potential to compensate with a high motor at times.
Bayles recently returned home to play in the NBL1, much like the two names above him on this list. The rising star has been putting up incredible numbers for the Sydney City Comets, with averages of 29.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists through his first four appearances. There’s little doubt that Bayles has grown as a player in his first professional season abroad, and NBL teams will be following his development closely as the NBL1 season progresses.