FIBA World Cup 2019: Mitch Creek reportedly added to Australian Boomers squad to replace the injured Xavier Cooks

Mitch Creek has reportedly been called up to the Australian Boomers FIBA World Cup squad to replace the injured Xavier Cooks.

Creek will link up with the Boomers squad today in Perth, according to Fox Sports' Olgun Uluc.

Mitch Creek has been added to the Australian Boomers team, I'm told. He'll join the group today.

— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) August 15, 2019

Creek made his NBA debut last season, seeing action with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets, following that up with a string of impressive performances for the Timberwolves at Summer League and will play for the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the NBL next season.

The forward was a tough cut in the original Boomers squad, with coach Andrej Lemanis moved to tears discussing Creek's omission.

"That was as heartbreaking as any of them," Lemanis said, per AAP. "But for the skill sets you're looking for ... good players miss out and that's the way it is."

Creek's World Cup opportunity comes at the expense of an unlucky teammate, as Cooks was in line to make his Boomers debut at the tournament.

The 23-year-old will miss the tournament after suffering a meniscus tear in his left knee, with Creek set to help fill those minutes on the wing behind Joe Ingles. 

Australian Boomers World Cup squad

The Boomers tip-off their preparations for the World Cup this weekend as they take on the Canadian national team in Perth, before two blockbuster games against Team USA in Melbourne.

International Basketball Series Schedule