BIO: Luke Travers was born in Adelaide (SA) and later moved to Perth (WA), where he attended Willetton Senior High School and began his junior basketball with the Rockingham Flames as a junior.

In 2017, Travers debuted in the State Basketball League (SBL) for the Rockingham Flames.

In 2018 Travers helped break a 17-year drought for Western Australia, winning gold at the Under 18 National Championships.

Opting to forgo college basketball in the United States to begin his professional career in Australia, he made his debut for the Wildcats as a development player in 2019. Travers received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2018. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Luke Travers made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 18 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.

After defeating Melbourne United 3-1 in the 2019 Grand Final to claim their ninth NBL championship, Perth retained six members of its championship-winning roster. Trevor Gleeson re-signed on a three-year deal, while Damian Martin, Jesse Wagstaff and Terrico White returned, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (elevated from development player) replaced Greg Hire (retired), and Dario Hunt (via Spirou Charleroi) and Majok Majok (via New Zealand) were added after Tom Jervis (retired) and Angus Brandt (to Europe) departed. Luke Travers (via Rockingham) joined Perth as a development player after deciding to begin his professional career in Australia rather than pursue college basketball in the United States.

Perth opened its championship defence with a 94-93 win over Melbourne United at RAC Arena. Travers (1.3 points across 4 games) remained at the end of the rotation, with his limited appearances a result of his development-player role rather than a reported injury.

Travers’ best game and NBL debut came against Adelaide on December 1, where Travers (3 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists) played almost 11 minutes as Perth attempted to recover from a 27-point deficit before losing 99-88. Bryce Cotton (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth, while Daniel Johnson (29 points and 17 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best. Gleeson praised the effort of his young players after the game, saying, “Luke Travers came on as a Development Player and was playing hard. Taylor (Britt) came on for a little bit and was playing hard.”

Perth fell to 8-5 before winning four straight games to close December at 13-6. Martin (3.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 26 games) suffered a left heel injury after playing his 300th game for Perth and missed January, while Hunt (8.6 points and 6 rebounds across 21 games) was released (to Mornar Bar) after consecutive losses to begin 2020 and replaced by Miles Plumlee (via Zhejiang Lions; 8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds across 12 games).

In Perth’s final regular-season game, Travers (2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played a season-high 13 minutes as the Wildcats defeated Adelaide 94-79. Nick Kay (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led Perth, while Johnson (18 points and 11 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best as the Wildcats won six of their final seven games to finish second with a 19-9 record and qualify for the finals for a 34th consecutive season.

Cotton (22.6 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 32 games) won his second NBL MVP award, while Kay (15.9 points, 8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 33 games) was named to the All-NBL First Team. White (15 points and 3.6 rebounds across 30 games), Clint Steindl (9.6 points across 32 games), Mitchell Norton (6.8 points across 33 games) and Wagstaff (5.8 points across 33 games) provided Perth’s other main contributions.

Travers did not play in semifinal game one, where Perth defeated Cairns 108-107 in overtime behind Cotton (42 points and 6 assists) and Kay (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals), while Scott Machado (31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists) and DJ Newbill (25 points) led Cairns.

Travers did not take the court in game two, where Cairns defeated Perth 85-74 behind Cameron Oliver (22 points and 19 rebounds) and Newbill (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), while Steindl (18 points and 3 rebounds) led the Wildcats.

Travers remained on the bench in game three as Perth defeated Cairns 93-82 behind White (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals), while Oliver (20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Machado (19 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Cairns as Perth won the series 2-1.

Travers did not enter game one of the Grand Final, where Perth defeated Sydney 88-86 behind Cotton (32 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kay (14 points and 6 rebounds), while Andrew Bogut (18 points) and Kevin Lisch (17 points) led Sydney.

With the remainder of the series moved behind closed doors due to COVID-19, Travers remained on the bench in game two as Sydney defeated Perth 97-83 behind Jae’Sean Tate (20 points), Bogut (19 points and 14 rebounds) and Lisch (19 points), while Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (17 points and 7 rebounds) led Perth.

Travers did not play in game three, where Perth defeated Sydney 111-96 behind Cotton (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Kay (30 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists), while Tate (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Brad Newley (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney. The Kings withdrew before game four amid concerns surrounding COVID-19 and travel restrictions, leading the remaining games to be cancelled before Perth was awarded the championship two days later, giving Travers his first NBL title.

2020/21
After being awarded the previous season’s championship when Sydney withdrew from the Grand Final series amid COVID-19 concerns, Perth entered NBL21 looking to win a third consecutive title under coach Trevor Gleeson. Damian Martin (retired), Terrico White (overseas), Nick Kay (to Spain) and Rhys Vague (to Japan) departed, while the NBL’s decision to reduce import spots from three to two prevented Perth from retaining Miles Plumlee. John Mooney (via Notre Dame), Todd Blanchfield (via Illawarra) and Kevin White (via Adelaide) were added, Tom Jervis returned from retirement and Corey Shervill and Andrew Ferguson joined as development players, while captain Jesse Wagstaff and Clint Steindl returned from the previous season. Majok Majok was ruled out for the season after rupturing his Achilles before the campaign began. Numerous delays and COVID-19 border restrictions resulted in games beginning without a fixed schedule.

Perth opened its championship defence against South East Melbourne at RAC Arena on January 24, where Travers (4 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) started and played more than 20 minutes as the Wildcats won 88-76 behind Cotton (27 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals), while Mitchell Creek (17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) led the Phoenix.

Travers (4.9 points and 3.2 rebounds across 40 games) remained a development player for a second season and made 20 starts, initially opening the year in the starting lineup before moving into a smaller bench role. Perth struggled early and sat seventh after five rounds before the league relocated teams to Melbourne for the NBL Cup, where the Wildcats won seven of eight games to claim the inaugural tournament.

One of Travers’ first breakout performances came against Sydney on March 28, where he came off the bench to score 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block in only nine minutes, making all six of his shots from the field as Perth defeated the Kings 89-65, while Jarell Martin (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block) led Sydney.

Perth added Will Magnay (via New Orleans) as a nominated replacement player in May after his stint with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Wildcats’ championship hopes then suffered a major setback when Cotton (23.5 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals across 32 games) suffered a haematoma to his left quadriceps against Brisbane on May 19. Cotton played again two days later before swelling and pain led to emergency surgery on May 23, ruling him out of Perth’s final four regular-season games and the entire postseason. With Cotton unavailable, Travers returned to the starting lineup and was given a significantly larger role. “Then when he went out I started to be more aggressive,” said Travers.

Against Sydney on May 27, Travers (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) made seven of 10 shots as Perth defeated the Kings 81-67 in front of 10,650 fans at RAC Arena. Blanchfield (23 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Norton (11 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) also helped Perth record its fifth win over Sydney for the season, becoming the first team in NBL history to complete a 5-0 regular-season sweep of another team.

Luke Travers appreciation post. ?

LT lit up The Jungle on Thursday night, finishing with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals. pic.twitter.com/7IKkeKVwi3

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) May 29, 2021

Perth closed the regular season against Melbourne on June 4, where Travers (10 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) continued his increased role as a starter in a 78-64 loss, while Jo Lual-Acuil (16 points and 2 blocks) led United. Melbourne finished first with a 28-8 record and Perth second at 25-11.

Mooney (16.9 points and 11.4 rebounds across 42 games) emerged as one of the league’s best big men, while Blanchfield (15.2 points and 4.1 rebounds across 41 games), Norton (8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 41 games), Wagstaff (6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds across 41 games), Steindl (6.4 points across 38 games), Magnay (4.7 points and 4.3 rebounds across 15 games) and White (3.4 points across 39 games) provided support. Cotton was named NBL MVP, Scoring Champion, Fans MVP and to the All-NBL First Team, Mooney joined him on the All-NBL First Team and later won Perth’s Gordon Ellis Medal, while Norton won the Best Defensive Player and Players’ Player awards. Travers was named Perth’s Most Improved Player following his second season as a development player and Gleeson was named NBL Coach of the Year.

Without Cotton, Perth opened the semifinals against Illawarra at RAC Arena with a 74-72 loss, where Travers (12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Blanchfield (24 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Mooney (13 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) led the Wildcats, while Justinian Jessup (17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) and Justin Simon (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Hawks.

Travers’ best game of the season came in the must-win game two at WIN Entertainment Centre, where he recorded the first double-double of his NBL career with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block as Perth defeated Illawarra 79-71. Mooney (18 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Steindl (12 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support, while Tyler Harvey (24 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals) led Illawarra. The performance made Travers the third-youngest player in NBL history to record a double-double in a playoff game. “He was brilliant out there today,” said Gleeson.

Game three returned to RAC Arena, where Travers (7 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals), Blanchfield (24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals), Mooney (16 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Norton (15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) helped Perth win 79-71 and advance to the Grand Final, while Sam Froling (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led Illawarra. Travers pulled up with soreness in his left calf following the game and was placed on light duties ahead of the Grand Final.

Perth faced first-placed Melbourne United in the Grand Final, but Travers failed a fitness test on the morning of game one after the calf failed to respond to treatment and was ruled out. Blanchfield (27 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist) led Perth, while Chris Goulding (23 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Jock Landale (17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) carried Melbourne to a 73-70 win at RAC Arena.

Travers again failed a fitness test before game two and remained sidelined alongside Cotton and the injured Steindl. Mooney (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists), Blanchfield (13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal), Norton (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) and White (12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Perth, while Goulding (21 points and 1 steal), Yudai Baba (15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Landale (12 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) helped Melbourne win 83-74 and take a 2-0 series lead.

Travers passed a fitness test to return for game three at John Cain Arena and finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 17 minutes. White (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists), Mooney (14 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Blanchfield (11 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) led Perth, while Landale (15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Goulding (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Melbourne as United completed the sweep with an 81-76 win and Landale was named Grand Final MVP.

2021/22
After finishing second with a 25-11 record and being swept by Melbourne in the Grand Final, Perth underwent major changes with five-time championship coach Trevor Gleeson (to Toronto) leaving for the NBA. John Mooney (to Chiba), Will Magnay (to Tasmania), Clint Steindl (to Tasmania), Jarrad Weeks (to Tasmania), Jarred Bairstow (to Tasmania) and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (to Sydney) also departed. Scott Morrison replaced Gleeson and added Vic Law (via Brisbane), Michael Frazier II (via Delaware), Matthew Hodgson (via Brisbane) and Jack Purchase (via Adelaide), while Majok Majok returned after missing the previous season with an Achilles injury.

After two seasons as a development player, Travers was elevated to Perth’s main roster for the first time, entering the season with two years remaining on the three-year deal he had already signed with the Wildcats after choosing to forgo college basketball in the US.

Perth opened the season against Adelaide at RAC Arena on December 3, where Travers (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals) helped the Wildcats to an 85-73 win. Law (37 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) set a club record for points on debut and Cotton (16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, while Daniel Johnson (22 points and 6 rebounds) led Adelaide. CLICK HERE FOR GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Travers (7.8 points and 5.4 rebounds across 27 games) produced career-best numbers during his first season as a fully contracted player, taking on increased responsibility as a rebounder, defender and secondary ball-handler while attracting increased NBA interest. Perth played its first five games at home before Western Australia’s border restrictions forced the Wildcats into 14 consecutive games on the road. Travers’ only absence came against Adelaide on January 18 after contracting COVID-19 and failing to recover in time, with the illness rather than an injury responsible for his only missed game of the season. “It’s a little bit different for sure than a normal sickness and I’m still trying to build back,” Travers said.

Travers’ best game came against league-leading South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on February 5, where he made four three-pointers and finished with a career-high 24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block as Perth recovered from a 15-point first-half deficit to defeat the Phoenix 101-79. Cotton (21 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Frazier II (14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) provided support, while Xavier Munford (18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led South East Melbourne. CLICK HERE FOR GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Perth eventually returned to Western Australia sitting second with a 13-6 record and nine games remaining but won only three games during the run home. During that stretch, the Wildcats attempted to replace Michael Frazier II (7.1 points and 4.2 rebounds across 21 games) with John Brown III after Brown left Russia amid humanitarian concerns. Brown arrived in Perth and trained with the Wildcats, but complications involving his former club and the required FIBA clearance prevented him from being registered before the deadline, forcing Perth to reinstate Frazier while Brown returned to the United States.

Cotton (22.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals across 28 games) and Law (20.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 26 games) led Perth’s offence as the Wildcats averaged a league-best 89.1 points per game, with both selected to the All-NBL First Team. Blanchfield (10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds across 23 games) missed time after undergoing knee surgery and reinjuring the same knee shortly after returning, while Norton (9.6 points and 3.8 assists across 18 games), Hodgson (6.9 points and 4.7 rebounds across 18 games) and Frazier also missed games through injury. Wagstaff (6.2 points across 28 games) and Majok (5.3 points and 5.2 rebounds across 28 games) provided further support. Cotton played all 28 games, but Law suffered a right ankle syndesmosis injury in mid-April which ended his season.

Travers finished runner-up to Cairns’ Bul Kuol for Rookie of the Year, receiving 36 votes, and was named Perth’s Most Improved Player for the second consecutive season. His performances also led him to declare for the 2022 NBA Draft while remaining contracted to Perth for the following season.

With Law unavailable, Perth entered its final game against South East Melbourne at RAC Arena on April 24 needing a win to qualify for the playoffs. Travers (2 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) came off the bench as the Wildcats built an eight-point lead before the Phoenix fought back and forced overtime, with Cotton (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Frazier II (22 points and 6 rebounds) leading Perth while Munford (24 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne. The Phoenix won 102-100 in overtime, leaving Perth fifth with a 16-12 record and ending the Wildcats’ run of 35 consecutive finals appearances, with Perth missing the postseason for the first time since 1986.

2022/23
After missing the playoffs for the first time in 35 years, Scott Morrison stepped down after one season to return to Canada for family reasons, with former Townsville Crocodiles guard John Rillie appointed as Perth’s new head coach on a three-year deal.

Kevin White (to Illawarra), Matt Hodgson (to Taiwan), Vic Law and Michael Frazier II departed, while Bryce Cotton, Todd Blanchfield and Jesse Wagstaff re-signed and Kyle Zunic was elevated from development player to the full roster. Corey Webster (via Franklin Bulls), who had originally signed with Perth in 2017 before leaving prior to the season for an overseas opportunity, returned alongside TaShawn Thomas (via Le Mans) and Brady Manek (via North Carolina).

Luke Travers returned for his fourth NBL season after being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 56th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and playing for Cleveland during NBA Summer League. Travers also made his senior Australian Boomers debut during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers before returning to Perth.

Perth opened the season against Brisbane at RAC Arena on October 2, where Travers (9 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) made all three of his field-goal attempts off the bench. Cotton (23 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals) and Wagstaff (14 points) led a 24-point turnaround, while Devondrick Walker (16 points and 5 rebounds) was Brisbane’s leading scorer as the Wildcats won 87-73.

Travers (9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists across 29 games) produced career-high averages while shooting 49.5 per cent from the field and 39.3 per cent from three-point range. Perth won its first three games and moved to the top of the ladder before five consecutive losses dropped the Wildcats to seventh.

Travers delivered one of his strongest early performances against South East Melbourne at RAC Arena on October 28, making seven of his 10 field-goal attempts and finishing with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block. Cotton (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) led Perth, while Mitchell Creek (22 points and 6 rebounds) made the deciding free throws with 15 seconds remaining before Blanchfield (6 points and 4 rebounds) missed at the buzzer as the Phoenix won 91-90.

Rillie moved Travers into the starting five during December, adding his length, rebounding and playmaking alongside Cotton and Webster as Perth won four consecutive games. Against Melbourne at RAC Arena on December 12, Travers (11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) contributed at both ends as Perth trailed 89-84 with nine seconds remaining. Blanchfield (8 points and 2 rebounds) made a three-pointer while being fouled, missed the bonus free throw, grabbed his own rebound and found Webster (20 points and 3 assists), who made the game-winning three-pointer. Cotton (29 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth, while Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Chris Goulding (20 points) led Melbourne as the Wildcats won 90-89.

Travers recorded his first double-double of the season against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on December 27, making all four of his three-point attempts and finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Cotton (30 points and 6 assists) and Webster (16 points and 4 assists) helped Perth recover from 13 points behind and force overtime, while Nathan Sobey (30 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists) led Brisbane to a 97-93 win. Travers left the court with 5:08 remaining in the fourth quarter and was not recalled during overtime, with Rillie later admitting, “If we re-play that game, I probably put him back in the game.”

Four days later at the WIN Entertainment Centre, Travers (10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) injured his ankle during the third quarter and did not return. Webster (25 points and 5 rebounds), Manek (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Cotton (24 points and 6 assists) led Perth, while Tyler Harvey (28 points) was Illawarra’s best as the Wildcats won 107-97.

Perth added Tai Webster (via Petkim Spor, 7 points across 8 games), reuniting him with his older brother Corey, while Corey Shervill (released) remained with the club as a training player.

Travers recovered from the ankle injury in time to face New Zealand on January 4 but went scoreless in 15:14. A non-COVID illness then ruled him out against Sydney on January 7, with Michael Harris elevated into Perth’s active lineup. It was the only Wildcats game Travers missed during the season.

Perth entered its final three regular-season games needing victories to remain in the postseason race. Travers (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists), Thomas (19 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Webster (17 points and 4 assists) and Cotton (17 points and 2 steals) led the Wildcats against Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena on January 29, while Milton Doyle (21 points and 4 assists) led the JackJumpers. Tasmania outscored Perth 27-15 during the fourth quarter and won 102-94.

Cairns then defeated Perth 84-71 at RAC Arena on February 3, with Travers (2 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks), Cotton (28 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Thomas (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) leading the Wildcats. Bul Kuol (15 points and 9 rebounds) led the Taipans, leaving Perth needing to defeat first-placed Sydney by at least 11 points in its final regular-season game to qualify for the postseason.

Travers’s best game came against Sydney at RAC Arena on February 5, where he made eight of his 14 field-goal attempts and finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block. Webster (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Manek (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) provided support after the Kings held Cotton (7 points) to one made field goal, while Dejan Vasiljevic (18 points and 7 rebounds) led Sydney. Perth won 96-84 in front of more than 12,000 fans, securing the required margin by one point to finish sixth with a 15-13 record and qualify for the inaugural play-in tournament.

Cotton (23.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.6 steals across 30 games) led the NBL in scoring, earned All-NBL First Team selection and received Perth’s club MVP, Players’ Player and Members’ MVP awards. Webster (14.2 points across 29 games), Thomas (13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 28 games), Manek (13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds across 30 games) and Mitch Norton (5.1 points across 28 games) formed the other main contributors. Travers was named a finalist for the NBL Next Generation Award and received Perth’s Andrew Vlahov Medal as the club’s Best Defensive Player after recording 32 steals and 19 blocks. Perth finished with the league’s highest offensive rating and ranked second in scoring at 92.1 points per game, but recorded the worst defensive rating and ranked last in rebounding at 33.5 per game.

The Play-In Qualifier moved to John Cain Arena on February 9, where Perth trailed South East Melbourne for most of the game before outscoring the Phoenix 41-23 during the fourth quarter. Travers (11 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Cotton (26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), Manek (24 points) and Thomas (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) led the Wildcats, while Creek (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), Gary Browne (20 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Alan Williams (16 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne as Perth won 106-99.

Perth then faced Cairns at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 12, with the winner advancing to the semifinals. The Taipans entered without Keanu Pinder because of a serious facial injury and Tahjere McCall because of a shoulder injury, but DJ Hogg (32 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks), Kuol (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Sam Waardenburg (15 points and 10 rebounds) led Cairns. Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists), Thomas (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Webster (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Manek (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth as Cairns won 91-78, with Travers (5 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals) playing 25:40 in the loss.

MELBOURNE UNITED
2023/24
Melbourne won 11 of its final 14 games in NBL23 but still finished seventh at 15-13 and missed the postseason on percentage. Mason Peatling (to Illawarra), David Okwera (to Perth), Makuach Maluach (to Sydney), Isaac Humphries (to Adelaide), Marcus Lee (to Tasmania), Rayjon Tucker (to Venice), Lachlan Barker (to Tasmania) and David Barlow (retired) departed. Coach Dean Vickerman brought Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (via China) and Matthew Dellavedova (via Sacramento) back to Melbourne, while Luke Travers (via Perth), Ian Clark (via Adelaide), Tanner Krebs (via Brisbane), Flynn Cameron (via UC Riverside) and Kyle Bowen (via Saint Mary’s) joined the roster. A wrist injury to Lual-Acuil Jr before the season led to Rob Loe (via New Zealand) signing as an injury replacement and Ariel Hukporti moving into the starting line-up.

Travers signed a three-year deal after four seasons with Perth, leaving his home state while the Cleveland Cavaliers retained his NBA Draft rights. “I think a big thing for me going into this was getting out of my comfort zone,” Travers said.

Melbourne opened the season against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on September 28, where Travers (20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) top-scored on his United debut as Melbourne won 82-67, with Dellavedova (17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Loe (9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) providing support while Ben Ayre (17 points and 2 rebounds) led the Phoenix.

Travers (12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 33 games) settled into United’s starting power-forward role, using his rebounding to initiate the offence while providing length, athleticism and versatility defensively. He was the only NBL player to average more than one steal and one block during the season. A concussion ended his November 6 game against Perth after only 47 seconds and an ankle injury later sidelined him for two games in January.

Returning from the concussion, Travers’ best game came against Sydney at John Cain Arena on November 19, where Travers (18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) helped Melbourne recover from a 19-point deficit to defeat the defending champions 105-93. Goulding (35 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) and Lual-Acuil Jr (17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led the scoring alongside him, while DJ Hogg (20 points and 6 rebounds) was Sydney’s best as United produced a 40-point final quarter.

Goulding (16.9 points across 36 games) led Melbourne in scoring, with Lual-Acuil Jr (14.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 29 games), Ian Clark (13.6 points across 30 games), Dellavedova (12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists across 30 games) and Ili (10.7 points and 3.7 assists across 34 games) completing a deep starting and closing group. Hukporti (7.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 36 games), Loe (5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds across 8 games) and Krebs (5.3 points across 36 games) provided further depth. Goulding finished second in MVP voting, earned All-NBL First Team honours and won United’s club MVP award, Lual-Acuil Jr was selected to the All-NBL Second Team, Ili won Defensive Player of the Year, Ian Clark received Best Sixth Man and Vickerman was named Coach of the Year.

United closed the regular season against Illawarra at John Cain Arena on February 18, where Travers (13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) came off the bench as Melbourne won 92-87, with Goulding (19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Dellavedova (17 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) leading the scoring while Justin Robinson (14 points and 5 assists) was Illawarra’s best. Melbourne finished first with a 20-8 record, three wins clear of the competition after spending 19 of the season’s 20 rounds on top of the ladder.

Travers declined an opportunity to represent the Boomers during the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers so he could get his body right for Melbourne’s finals campaign.

Melbourne opened the semifinals at John Cain Arena on March 7, where Travers (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) produced his highest-scoring game of the season as United recovered from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Illawarra 115-106 in overtime. Dellavedova (30 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) and Goulding (18 points and 3 rebounds) helped complete the comeback, while Froling (26 points and 5 rebounds), Gary Clark (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Harvey (15 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Hawks.

Game two moved to WIN Entertainment Centre, where Travers (11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) returned after landing awkwardly on his left knee during the second quarter. Dellavedova (20 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals), Lual-Acuil Jr (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block) and Ian Clark (17 points and 3 rebounds) led Melbourne, while Gary Clark (31 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (23 points and 2 steals), Froling (19 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Hickey (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) carried Illawarra. Hickey’s putback at the regulation buzzer forced overtime before the Hawks won 113-108 and levelled the series.

The series returned to John Cain Arena for game three, where Travers (15 points and 11 rebounds), Ili (22 points and 3 rebounds), Goulding (14 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block) and Ian Clark (14 points) led Melbourne to a 100-94 win. Froling (23 points and 4 rebounds), Robinson (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Gary Clark (14 points and 6 rebounds) kept Illawarra close before United advanced to the Grand Final series.

Melbourne opened the Grand Final at John Cain Arena, where Travers (9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) protected the rim and helped restrict McVeigh while United defeated Tasmania 104-81. Goulding (22 points and 4 rebounds), Lual-Acuil Jr (20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) and Ian Clark (18 points and 6 rebounds) led Melbourne, while Drmic (18 points), Doyle (16 points and 8 rebounds) and McVeigh (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) were Tasmania’s best.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Travers (3 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks), Ili (20 points), Goulding (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Lual-Acuil Jr (9 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) helped Melbourne establish a 15-point third-quarter lead. McVeigh (16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Doyle (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists), Crawford (13 points and 4 assists) and Macdonald (13 points) led Tasmania’s comeback before the JackJumpers won 82-77 and levelled the series.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, where Travers (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks), Dellavedova (21 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals) and Goulding (17 points and 4 rebounds) led Melbourne. McVeigh (18 points and 12 rebounds), Deng (15 points and 1 block), Doyle (14 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Crawford (14 points) kept Tasmania close before Doyle saved a deflected inbound pass and McVeigh made a long three-pointer from beyond half-court at the buzzer, giving the JackJumpers a 93-91 win and a 2-1 series lead.

Game four remained at MyState Bank Arena, where Travers (17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks), Ian Clark (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block), Goulding (17 points) and Dellavedova (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Melbourne. McVeigh (28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals), Doyle (14 points and 6 rebounds), Macdonald (14 points) and Crawford (14 points) led Tasmania before Dellavedova made the go-ahead lay-up with 7.2 seconds remaining and United held on for an 88-86 win to force a deciding game.

Game five returned to John Cain Arena, where Crawford (32 points and 6 rebounds) scored 19 points during the opening quarter and received support from McVeigh (14 points and 8 rebounds), Magnay (11 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Doyle (11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals) as Tasmania won 83-81 and secured its first championship. Lual-Acuil Jr (14 points and 6 rebounds), Dellavedova (13 points and 7 assists), Goulding (13 points, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Ili (11 points and 4 rebounds) kept United in the game, with McVeigh named Grand Final MVP. Travers’ two blocks took him to 14 for the series, equalling Willie Simmons’ 1989 Championship Series record. Travers (13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) scored 11 points in the first quarter and played 34:33 minutes in the loss.

Luke Travers played five seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Perth Wildcats and the Melbourne United. He averaged 8.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 133 NBL games.

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