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Luke Travers

Luke Travers
Travers with the Perth Wildcats in 2022
No. 33 – Cleveland Cavaliers
PositionShooting guard / small forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2001-09-03) 3 September 2001 (age 23)
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight207 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High schoolWilletton Senior
(Perth, Western Australia)
NBA draft2022: 2nd round, 56th overall pick
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2019Rockingham Flames
2019–2023Perth Wildcats
2020Cockburn Cougars
2023–2024Melbourne United
2024–presentCleveland Cavaliers
2024–present→Cleveland Charge
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Australia
FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2017 China Team

Luke Jacob Travers (born 3 September 2001) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. After playing for the Rockingham Flames in the State Basketball League (SBL), Travers opted to forgo college basketball in the United States to begin his professional career in Australia. He made his debut for the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League (NBL) in 2019 and went on to be selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 56th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He joined Melbourne United in 2023 and then joined the Cavaliers in 2024.

Early life and career

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Travers was born in the Perth southern suburb of Rockingham.[1] He attended Port Kennedy Primary School[1] and Willetton Senior High School.[2][3] He played basketball for the Rockingham Flames as a junior[4] and was childhood friends with AFL player Luke Jackson.[5]

Travers in 2017

Travers made his senior debut for the Rockingham Flames in the State Basketball League (SBL) in 2017. He saw action in five games and totaled five points.[6] In 2018, he 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 quarter-finals and averaging 14.7 points during the 2–1 semi-final series loss to the Perry Lakes Hawks.[7] That year, he was named Male WABL Player of the Year.[8] In 2019, he played 18 games for the Flames and averaged 11.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.[9] He was an integral player for the Flames in 2019, starting a number of games but often used as the sixth man off the bench.[10] He was subsequently named the SBL Most Improved Player.[11]

In 2018, Travers helped break a 17-year drought for Western Australia, winning gold at the Under 18 National Championships.[4][12]

Professional career

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Perth Wildcats (2019–2023)

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2019–20 season

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On 1 August 2019, Travers signed with the Perth Wildcats as a development player for the 2019–20 NBL season.[12] His elite athleticism and ability to play multiple positions made him an attractive option for the Wildcats.[10] Regarded as one of Australia's most sought-after basketball prospects, he had interest from a number of colleges in the United States,[10] but indicated his desire to turn professional due to a lack of motivation at school.[13] In his debut for the Wildcats on 1 December 2019, he had three points, four assists and two rebounds in roughly 11 minutes in a 99–88 loss to the Adelaide 36ers.[14] On 20 December 2019, he opted to forgo college basketball and begin his professional career, signing a three-year contract extension with the Wildcats.[15][16] He played four games during the season[17] and was a member of the Wildcats' championship-winning squad in March 2020.[18][19]

During the West Coast Classic in 2020, Travers had a five-game stint with the Cockburn Cougars,[13] averaging 17.8 points, 14.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.[20]

2020–21 season

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Continuing on as a development player in the 2020–21 NBL season, Travers was thrust into a much larger role early on, starting in both of the Wildcats' pre-season games against the Illawarra Hawks.[21] While mostly a traditional wing player, he added strength to his frame over the off-season and was assigned the starting power forward role.[21] He was replaced in the starting line-up by Jarred Bairstow midway through the season,[22] with Travers later stating he got complacent in the role and was forced to work his way back into starting contention.[23] On 28 March 2021, he went 6-of-6 from the field for 16 points off the bench in an 89–65 win over the Sydney Kings.[24] A season-ending injury to Bryce Cotton saw Travers return to the starting line-up as a guard at the back-end of the regular season and in the semi-finals.[25] On 27 May, he had 16 points and eight rebounds in an 81–67 win over the Kings.[26] In the 2–1 semi-final series win over Illawarra, Travers averaged 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and three assists per game.[25] He went on to miss the first two games of the grand final series against Melbourne United with a calf injury,[27][28][29] returning in game three to record nine points and six rebounds off the bench in an 81–76 series-ending loss.[30][31]

On 1 July 2021, Travers signed with the Mandurah Magic for the rest of the 2021 NBL1 West season.[32][33] However, he was never cleared by the Wildcats medical staff to play for Mandurah.[34]

2021–22 season

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Travers entered the 2021–22 NBL season as a fully contracted player[35] and earned the rank of number 83 in ESPN's top 100 NBA draft rankings.[36] On 5 December 2021, he had a career-high 14 rebounds in the Wildcats' 90–67 win over the Cairns Taipans.[37][38] On 5 February 2022, he scored a career-high 24 points in a 101–79 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix.[39] He averaged 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks per game during the 2021–22 season, playing both inside and outside roles while also periodically running the offense.[40]

2022 NBA draft and Summer League

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On 24 April 2022, Travers declared for the 2022 NBA draft.[41] He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 56th overall pick.[42] He joined the Cavaliers for the 2022 NBA Summer League,[43] where he averaged 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in five games.[44]

2022–23 season

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Travers re-joined the Wildcats for the 2022–23 NBL season.[45] He helped the Wildcats return to the finals by recording 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in the regular-season finale against the Sydney Kings.[46] In 29 games, he averaged 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game.[47]

Travers parted ways with the Wildcats on 30 March 2023.[48]

Melbourne United (2023–2024)

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On 17 April 2023, Travers signed a three-year deal with Melbourne United.[49][50][51] Three months later, he helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win the 2023 NBA Summer League championship.[52][53][54] He played in each of Cleveland's five games, averaging 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.2 blocks per game.[54]

While initially signed by United to fill a power forward role, Travers was trialled as a point guard during pre-season.[55] In his debut for United on 28 September 2023, he scored a game-high 20 points in an 82–67 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix.[56] In game one of United's semi-finals series against the Illawarra Hawks, Travers had 24 points and eight rebounds in a 115–106 overtime win.[57] In 36 games (34 starts) during the 2023–24 NBL season, he averaged 12.4 points on .517 shooting from the field, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.33 blocks and 1.17 steals in 27.0 minutes.[58]

On 7 August 2024, United granted Travers a release from his contract to pursue NBA opportunities.[59]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2024–present)

[edit]

In July 2024, Travers re-joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2024 NBA Summer League[60] and on 28 August, he signed a two-way contract with the team,[61] splitting the 2024–25 season with the Cavaliers' NBA G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge.[58] He appeared in all four preseason games for the Cavaliers.[62] He made his NBA debut on 1 November 2024 against the Orlando Magic, playing the last four minutes of the game and finished with four points, two rebounds, two assists and one block in a 120–109 win.[63][64]

National team career

[edit]

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.[12][65] 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.[66]

In August 2022, Travers made his Australian Boomers debut during the World Cup qualifiers.[67][68]

Personal life

[edit]

Travers is the son of Karl and Sam and he has an older brother[69] and a sister.[70]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b O'Donoghue, Craig (1 October 2022). "Perth Wildcats star Luke Travers on being drafted to NBA by Cleveland Cavaliers and pride in Rockingham". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  2. ^ Newbold, Cameron (27 August 2019). "NASHS schoolboys best in the West". AlbanyAdvertiser.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024. ...to set up a grand final against Willetton Senior High School, featuring 197cm Perth Wildcats development player Luke Travers.
  3. ^ "Player statistics for Luke Travers". Australian Schools Championships. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Feature Athlete: Luke Travers". AussieProspects.com. 2018. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021.
  5. ^ Smith, Ben (30 June 2022). "Cut the B.S: From high school to the big time, Luke Travers and Luke Jackson's paths forever entwined". PerthNow.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Player statistics for Luke Travers – SBL 2017". SBL.asn.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Player statistics for Luke Travers – SBL 2018". SBL.asn.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  8. ^ "2018 BASKETBALL WA AWARDS". BasketballWA.asn.au. 9 September 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Player statistics for Luke Travers – SBL 2019". SBL.asn.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Horton, Stuart (1 August 2019). "Rockingham Flames young gun Travers signs with Perth Wildcats". SoundTelegraph.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  11. ^ "2019 SBL AWARDS". SBL.asn.au. 11 September 2019. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  12. ^ a b c "Young gun Luke Travers signed as development player". Wildcats.com.au. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  13. ^ a b Smith, Ben (26 November 2019). "Cougars young gun hoping to traverse the path to professionalism". PerthNow.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  14. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (1 December 2019). "Perth Wildcats stunned in home blowout with loss to Adelaide". PerthNow.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
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  21. ^ a b Houben, Michael (8 January 2021). "NBL21 Prospect Watch: 17 names you should know this season". PickAndRoll.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  22. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (10 March 2021). "Bustling Perth Wildcat Jarred Bairstow still pinching himself amid incredible move into starting five". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 26 June 2021. The Wildcats had been starting with teenage Development Player Luke Travers in the opening games. But after beginning the season strongly...
  23. ^ "Luke Travers Press Conference - 13 June 2021". YouTube. Perth Wildcats. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  24. ^ Encarnacion, Matt (28 March 2021). "Perth Wildcats win exposes NBL gap: Kings". TheWest.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Australian basketball great Shane Heal says Melbourne United to 'sweep' Perth Wildcats". PerthNow.com.au. 17 June 2021. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021. Cotton's absence forced coach Trevor Gleeson to rely on his bench, most notably 19-year-old development player Luke Travers was thrust into a starting role over the three games and delivered 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and three assists per game.
  26. ^ "Bryce-less Wildcats too much at home for Kings". NBL.com.au. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021. Development player Luke Travers was back to start and made the most of it setting a new career-high and he was the player kept the 'Cats on top during the third quarter finishing with 16 points and eight rebounds on 7/10 shooting.
  27. ^ Garlepp, Josh (18 June 2021). "Perth Wildcats dealt massive blow with Luke Travers ruled out for grand final series opener". PerthNow.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  28. ^ Garlepp, Josh (25 June 2021). "Perth Wildcats' Luke Travers and Clint Steindl cleared for game three of grand final series against Melbourne United". TheWest.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  29. ^ "Finals Breakout Performers". Wildcats.com.au. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  30. ^ "United secure NBL21 championship on home court". NBL.com.au. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  31. ^ "So proud of the boys: Gleeson". Wildcats.com.au. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  32. ^ "Breaking News". Facebook.com/mandurahbasketball. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  33. ^ "Luke Travers signs at Magic". AustraliaBasket.com. 1 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  34. ^ "NBL1 West Recap | Friday Men's Finals Week 1". NBL1.com.au. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021. ...the Magic signed Cairns Taipans NBL superstar Scott Machado and rising Perth Wildcats star Luke Travers. ... However, things didn't quite go to plan with Travers never being cleared by the Wildcats medical staff to play...
  35. ^ Pike, Chris (3 February 2022). "This 20yo could be Aussie basketball's next big thing… and his NBA dream is within reach". FoxSports.com.au. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
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  38. ^ "Cotton explodes for 31 as Wildcats crush Taipans". Wildcats.com.au. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021. Luke Travers had a career-high 14 rebounds to go with six points...
  39. ^ "Travers Has Career Night as Wildcats Beat Phoenix". NBL.com.au. 5 February 2022. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  40. ^ "USA-bound Travers to chase NBA dream". Wildcats.com.au. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  41. ^ Pitman, Kane (24 April 2022). "Aussie forward Luke Travers nominates for 2022 NBA draft". ESPN.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  42. ^ "Cavaliers Select Ochai Agbaji with the 14th Overall Pick in 2022 NBA Draft". NBA.com. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  43. ^ "Cavaliers Announce 2022 Summer League Roster". NBA.com. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  44. ^ "Luke Travers". RealGM′.com. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  45. ^ "Luke Travers will play for the Wildcats in 2022/23". Wildcats.com.au. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  46. ^ Woods, Dan (8 February 2023). "Road Warrior Wildcats Ready to Go All the Way". NBL.com.au. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  47. ^ "Luke Travers". NBL.com.au. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  48. ^ "Thank you, Luke Travers". Wildcats.com.au. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
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  50. ^ "Josh Giddey breaks major NBL move". TheSportingNews.com. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
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  52. ^ "NBA Summer League: NBL Player Roster Tracker". NBL.com.au. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  53. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (5 July 2023). "Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie joins Keanu Pinder, Luke Travers and Fleur McIntyre at NBA Summer League". TheWest.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  54. ^ a b Woods, Dan (18 July 2023). "Travers Shines in Summer League Success". NBL.com.au. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  55. ^ Woods, Dan (10 August 2023). "Travers to run point". NBL.com.au. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  56. ^ Woods, Dan (28 September 2023). "Dellavedova fires United to derby win in NBL opener". NBL.com.au. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  57. ^ "United veteran leads charge to down Hawks". NBL.com.au. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  58. ^ a b "Cavaliers Sign Luke Travers to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  59. ^ "United release Travers to explore NBA opportunities". MelbourneUtd.com.au. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  60. ^ "Travers' ASAP NBA timeline". NBL.com.au. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  61. ^ "Travers to sign two-way NBA deal". NBL.com.au. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  62. ^ Hersz, Tom (30 October 2024). "Travers: "No excuses" in NBA journey". NBL Official Website. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  63. ^ "Cavaliers 120-109 Magic (1 Nov, 2024) Box Score". ESPN. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  64. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (2 November 2024). "Former Perth Wildcat Luke Travers makes stunning NBA debut for Cleveland Cavaliers". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 2 November 2024.
  65. ^ "Luke Travers - Flames Local Talent Prepares for International Tour". Rockingham Basketball and Recreation Association. 31 March 2018. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  66. ^ "Sotto, Sun and Wigness lead the FIBA U16 Asian Championship Mythical Teams". FIBA.basketball. 10 April 2018. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  67. ^ "Boomers Team Announced for Fourth Window of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers". Australia.basketball. 11 August 2022. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  68. ^ "Boomers trounce Bahrain in WC qualifier". ESPN.com.au. 26 August 2022. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  69. ^ "Luke Travers: The Kid From Rocko". YouTube. Perth Wildcats. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  70. ^ Perth Wildcats [@PerthWildcats] (24 June 2022). "Wholesome content alert. ❤️ Sam and Thyra Travers, Luke's mum and sister, react to hearing his name called out in today's NBA Draft" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via Twitter.
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