Tom Koppens
October 9, 2023
Luke Travers
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 3/09/01
- Place of Birth: Perth (WA)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 200
- Weight (KG): 94
- Junior Assoc: WA - Rockingham
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 1/12/19
- AGE AT DEBUT: 18
- LAST NBL GAME: 31/03/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 22
- NBL History: Perth 2020-23 | Melbourne 2024
- Championships: 1
- Perth (2020)
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.
The Wildcats began their 2019 offseason by securing four-time championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson on a three-year deal. Key players Damian Martin and Jesse Wagstaff, alongside import Terrico White, also re-signed. Six members of the previous championship squad returned, with Wani Swaka Lo Buluk elevated from development player to a full roster spot, replacing the retiring Greg Hire. Additionally, Dario Hunt and Majok Majok were signed to fill the void left by departing big men Tom Jervis and Angus Brandt, who pursued opportunities overseas.
The Wildcats started the season strong, winning five of their first six games. By Round 10, however, they had dropped to 8–5 after back-to-back losses. They responded with four consecutive victories, closing out December with a 13–6 record. During this period, Damian Martin celebrated his 300th game for the Wildcats but suffered a left heel injury, sidelining him for all of January.
Following consecutive losses to start 2020, the Wildcats decided to release Dario Hunt, who was averaging 8.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, and replaced him with seven-year NBA veteran Miles Plumlee. Plumlee provided the inside presence Perth lacked, as highlighted by a narrow win over New Zealand (80–79), where he delivered 23 points and 18 rebounds—the first Wildcat to record a 20-point, 15-rebound game since 2007.
Plumlee’s arrival bolstered Perth’s form, with the team winning six of their final seven regular-season games to secure a second-place finish (19–9) and their 34th consecutive finals appearance. Bryce Cotton (22.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists) became the first import in NBL history to lead the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons, while Nick Kay (15 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.1 steals) solidified his status as one of the league’s top players.
In the semifinals, Perth faced Cairns in a tightly contested series. The Wildcats narrowly took Game One (88–86), with Bryce Cotton scoring 32 points and Nick Kay adding 14 points and six rebounds. Cairns leveled the series in Game Two, forcing a decider. Perth ultimately prevailed in Game Three, securing their place in the Grand Final.
The Wildcats opened the Grand Final series against Sydney with an 88–86 win, highlighted by big performances from Cotton (32 points) and Kay (30 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists). However, after the Kings tied the series with a 93–86 victory in Game Two, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the remaining games to be played without fans. Sydney eventually withdrew from the series due to travel restrictions, awarding Perth their 10th championship. Cotton, who averaged 30.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists over the series, was named Grand Final MVP for the second time in four years.
Luke Travers made his NBL debut during this championship-winning season. As a rookie, Travers saw limited court time, appearing in four games and scoring a total of five points.
2020/21
Following their Grand Final victory, Perth entered NBL21 facing several challenges. Key players Terrico White and Nick Kay departed for overseas opportunities, while import Miles Plumlee was not re-signed due to the league reducing import spots from three to two. To fill the void, the Wildcats signed John Mooney, who would play a critical role in their frontcourt.
The season began under unprecedented circumstances, with the NBL implementing a rolling schedule due to ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions. After a slow start, Perth sat in seventh place by Round 5. The league then moved all teams to Melbourne for the NBL Cup, a mid-season tournament designed to mitigate travel issues.
Bryce Cotton (23.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 steals) elevated his game during the NBL Cup, helping the Wildcats climb back to the top of the standings. Todd Blanchfield (15.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) thrived alongside Cotton, setting a team record for most three-pointers in a season. John Mooney (16.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals) formed a formidable trio with Cotton and Blanchfield, propelling Perth to a second-place finish (25–11).
Perth’s playoff run began with a semifinal matchup against Illawarra. After dropping Game One (72–74), Luke Travers stepped up in Game Two, contributing 13 points and 10 rebounds in a critical 79–71 win. The Wildcats clinched the series with a 79–71 victory in Game Three, thanks to Blanchfield (24 points and five rebounds) and Mitchell Norton (15 points and four rebounds).
In the Grand Final, Perth faced Melbourne United, who had finished the regular season in first place. Game One was a tightly contested battle, with Blanchfield scoring 27 points, but the Wildcats fell short (70–73). Melbourne dominated Game Two, led by Chris Goulding (21 points) and Jock Landale (12 points and 17 rebounds), to secure an 83–74 victory.
Game Three marked the end of Perth’s season as Melbourne completed a sweep with an 81–76 win. Landale’s dominant performance (15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks) earned him Finals MVP honours, and Melbourne claimed their sixth NBL championship.
Travers became a regular rotation player during this season, appearing in 40 games and averaging 4.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. His contributions hinted at his potential, and he became an integral part of Perth’s future plans.
2021/22
The 2021/22 season marked a major transition for the Perth Wildcats, as Trevor Gleeson, who had guided the team to five championships in seven seasons, departed to take an assistant coaching role with the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. Compounding this loss, mid-season signing Will Magnay and key bench players Clint Steindl, Jarrad Weeks, and Jarred Bairstow all joined the newly formed Tasmania JackJumpers under former Wildcats assistant Scott Roth.
In response, Perth restructured its roster under new head coach Scott Morrison. The team signed imports Vic Law (via Brisbane) and Michael Frazier III, while adding Matthew Hodgson (via Brisbane) to fill the final roster spot.
With key players such as Mitchell Norton, Matthew Hodgson, Todd Blanchfield, and Michael Frazier missing time due to injuries, Luke Travers saw increased opportunities and made significant strides in his third year with the Wildcats. He delivered career-best averages of 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Travers also showcased an improved three-point shot and enhanced playmaking skills, drawing the attention of NBA scouts.
The Wildcats began the season with five home games before being forced to play 14 consecutive games away due to Western Australia’s COVID-19 border restrictions. Despite the challenges of playing on the road for an extended period, Perth spent most of the season in the top four and emerged as a strong contender for the Grand Final.
The duo of Bryce Cotton (22.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals) and Vic Law (20.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks) was a dominant force during the early stages of the season. Both players ranked among the league’s top three scorers, helping Perth lead the NBL in scoring at 89.1 points per game.
Returning home for their final nine games of the regular season, Perth made a controversial mid-season move to replace Michael Frazier III with John Brown III. Brown, however, was unable to secure a clearance from his former team in time to make the playoffs, forcing the Wildcats to reinstate Frazier late in the season. This disruption, combined with injuries to Law (season-ending knee injury) and Cotton (missing several games), caused the Wildcats to falter, winning only three of their final nine games.
In their final regular-season game, Perth faced the South East Melbourne Phoenix with a playoff spot on the line. Holding an eight-point lead in the second half, it seemed the Wildcats would extend their record streak of playoff appearances to 37 seasons. However, the Phoenix mounted a spirited comeback, securing a dramatic two-point overtime win and ending Perth’s historic playoff streak, which had begun in 1986.
Despite the disappointing end to the season, Travers continued to develop as a key piece for Perth and signed a three-year extension with the club.
2022/23
The 2022/23 season saw Luke Travers further elevate his game, averaging career-highs of 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. His contributions helped the Wildcats secure a sixth-place finish with a 15–13 record,.
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.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 22 | Melbourne | 20-8 (1) | 33 | 899.0 | 406 | 252 | 65 | 59 | 193 | 37 | 45 | 44 | 47 | 157 | 305 | 51% | 24 | 76 | 32% | 68 | 105 | 65% | 57% | 55% | 24 |
| 2022-23 | 21 | Perth | 15-13 (6) | 29 | 715.0 | 280 | 164 | 85 | 33 | 131 | 32 | 19 | 44 | 32 | 103 | 208 | 50% | 33 | 84 | 39% | 41 | 56 | 73% | 60% | 57% | 22 |
| 2021-22 | 20 | Perth | 16-12 (5) | 27 | 593.0 | 211 | 147 | 61 | 39 | 108 | 23 | 19 | 43 | 24 | 80 | 192 | 42% | 17 | 68 | 25% | 34 | 50 | 68% | 49% | 46% | 24 |
| 2020-21 | 19 | Perth | 25-11 (2) | 40 | 499.0 | 197 | 129 | 37 | 46 | 83 | 18 | 18 | 35 | 34 | 80 | 151 | 53% | 10 | 34 | 29% | 27 | 36 | 75% | 59% | 56% | 16 |
| 2019-20 | 18 | Perth | 19-9 (2) | 4 | 28.0 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 33% | 1 | 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 42% | 0% | 3 | Totals | 133 | 2734 | 1099 | 699 | 253 | 180 | 519 | 111 | 101 | 170 | 141 | 422 | 862 | 49.0% | 85 | 265 | 32.1% | 170 | 247 | 68.8% | 57% | 54% | 24 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 22 | Melbourne | 20-8 (1) | 33 | 27.2 | 12.3 | 7.6 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 5.8 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 4.8 | 9.2 | 51% | 0.7 | 2.3 | 32% | 2.1 | 3.2 | 65% | 57% | 55% | 24 |
| 2022-23 | 21 | Perth | 15-13 (6) | 29 | 24.7 | 9.7 | 5.7 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 3.6 | 7.2 | 50% | 1.1 | 2.9 | 39% | 1.4 | 1.9 | 73% | 60% | 57% | 22 |
| 2021-22 | 20 | Perth | 16-12 (5) | 27 | 22.0 | 7.8 | 5.4 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 4.0 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 7.1 | 42% | 0.6 | 2.5 | 25% | 1.3 | 1.9 | 68% | 49% | 46% | 24 |
| 2020-21 | 19 | Perth | 25-11 (2) | 40 | 12.5 | 4.9 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 3.8 | 53% | 0.3 | 0.9 | 29% | 0.7 | 0.9 | 75% | 59% | 56% | 16 |
| 2019-20 | 18 | Perth | 19-9 (2) | 4 | 7.0 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 33% | 0.3 | 0.8 | 33% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 42% | 0% | 3 | Total | 133 | 20.6 | 8.3 | 5.3 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 6.5 | 49.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 32.1% | 0.6 | 2.0 | 68.8% | 57% | 54% | 24 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 24 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Rockingham 2017-19 | BA Centre of Excellence 2018 | Cockburn 2020
In 2017, Travers debuted in the State Basketball League (SBL) for the Rockingham Flames. He saw action in five games and totaled five points.
In 2018, After a season with the Wildcats as a development player he returned to Rockingham and played five games during the regular season and then all five games during the finals, helping the Flames sweep the Geraldton Buccaneers 2-0 in the Quarterfinals and averaging 14.7 points during the 2-1 semi-final series loss to the Perry Lakes Hawks.
In 2019, he played 18 games for the Flames and averaged 11.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He was a integral player for the Flames in 2019, starting a number of games but often used as the sixth man off the bench. He was subsequently named the SBL Most Improved Player.
After playing three seasons for the Rockingham Flames he then had a stint with the Cockburn Cougars in 2020 during the West Coast Classic. Travers played in five games wutg tge Cougars and averaged 17.8 points, 14.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
FIBA EXPERIENCE
In 2018, Travers represented Australia at the Under-17 FIBA World Cup in Argentina and won gold at the Under-16 FIBA Asia Championship in China. He had 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocks for Australia in their title-clinching victory over China and was named in the all-tournament second team.
Travers played his first games for the Australian Boomers during the FIBA World Qualifiers in August 2022 (Q4) and November 2022 (Q5).
NBA EXPERIENCE
Luke Travers was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with pick #56 in the 2022 NBA Draft.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- July 6, 2019: As part of a 3-team trade, traded by the Miami Heat (as a future 2022 2nd round draft pick) with a 2025 2nd round draft pick and a 2026 2nd round draft pick to the Indiana Pacers; the Indiana Pacers traded cash to the Phoenix Suns; the Phoenix Suns traded T.J. Warren to the Indiana Pacers; and the Phoenix Suns traded KZ Okpala to the Miami Heat. $1.1MM
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February 7, 2022: Traded by the Indiana Pacers (as a future 2022 2nd round draft pick) with Caris Levert to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ricky Rubio, a 2022 1st round draft pick ( was later selected), a 2022 2nd round draft pick (Andrew Nembhard was later selected) and a 2027 2nd round draft pick ( was later selected). Cleveland also received a trade exception 2022 2nd-rd pick is MIA own 2022 conditional 1st-rd pick is CLE own, did not convey 2022 2nd-rd pick is HOU own 2027 2nd-rd pick is UTA own
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June 23, 2022: Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2nd round (58th pick) of the 2022 NBA Draft.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 61% | 75% | 75% | 89% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 24 | 8 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Total | 422 | 862 | 49.0% | 85 | 265 | 32.1% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 22 | Melbourne | 20-8 (1) | 33 | 899.0 | 406 | 252 | 65 | 59 | 193 | 37 | 45 | 44 | 47 | 157 | 305 | 51% | 24 | 76 | 32% | 68 | 105 | 65% | 57% | 55% | 24 |
| 2022-23 | 21 | Perth | 15-13 (6) | 29 | 715.0 | 280 | 164 | 85 | 33 | 131 | 32 | 19 | 44 | 32 | 103 | 208 | 50% | 33 | 84 | 39% | 41 | 56 | 73% | 60% | 57% | 22 |
| 2021-22 | 20 | Perth | 16-12 (5) | 27 | 593.0 | 211 | 147 | 61 | 39 | 108 | 23 | 19 | 43 | 24 | 80 | 192 | 42% | 17 | 68 | 25% | 34 | 50 | 68% | 49% | 46% | 24 |
| 2020-21 | 19 | Perth | 25-11 (2) | 40 | 499.0 | 197 | 129 | 37 | 46 | 83 | 18 | 18 | 35 | 34 | 80 | 151 | 53% | 10 | 34 | 29% | 27 | 36 | 75% | 59% | 56% | 16 |
| 2019-20 | 18 | Perth | 19-9 (2) | 4 | 28.0 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 33% | 1 | 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 42% | 0% | 3 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
AWARDS
- SBL Most Improved Player (2019)
Related
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