NBA, Boomers wing Luke Travers returns to United on two-year deal

After two years in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, 24-year-old Australian star Luke Travers is set to return to Melbourne United on a new two-year agreement.

One of Australia’s most coveted and versatile players, Travers comes back to United with 24 games of NBA experience, as well as 36 appearances in the NBA G League.

The 2022 NBA Draft Pick filled the stat sheet over the course of his two seasons with the Cleveland Charge, averaging 17 points, 9.6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.

Standing 198cm with the ability to handle the ball, attack the rim, block shots and lock down opposing perimeter players, while continuing to develop as an outside shooter, Travers looks set to shine across the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season.

Speaking to Melbourne United Media, Travers outlined his motivation to return to the organisation.

“I’m obviously super excited to get another shot at winning a Championship with United,” Travers said.

“I’m coming into a group with a lot of really skilled, versatile players and veteran experience. I think the sky is the limit.

“I think when (Head Coach) Jacob (Chance) kind of pitched the idea of me getting rebounds and then pushing in transition, or even trailing and trying to get downhill with shooters all around me and a rolling five-man, it was definitely exciting. 

“To be able to play with the guys we have on this team will be a lot of fun. It was another big reason why I came back, just to be able to play in so much space. 

“I really want to win. I think every basketball player’s dream is to just be remembered as a winner when you finish playing. 

“Obviously that entails winning as many championships as you can, and that starts now. When I'm done, I want to be known as a guy that's won four or five Championships, so the biggest goal right now is the winning and then everything kind of takes care of itself.”

Having worked closely with Travers dating back to their time at the Rockingham Flames in Perth, United Head Coach, Jacob Chance, broke down how impactful he believes Travers can be in his return to the league.

“Whether it was an import or a marquee local, we wanted to bring in a utility perimeter player who can play as a guard or on the wing that had some versatility to their game, and Luke fits that spot tremendously,” Chance explained.

“He can play, essentially, all five positions. He's different, he's dynamic, he's a big athlete, and I think he's going to really help us at both ends. 

“He's always been a tremendously high IQ, team player. He has great feel, and that’s something that’s been present since I knew him as a 14, 15-year-old kid.

“When you look at his time in Cleveland, he spent time at multiple positions. Carrying the ball a lot, playing as a rolling big, handling in the pick and roll, and then defensively, I think that’s where he's really grown the most, having to deal with the athleticism in the G League.

“I think he sees this as an opportunity to come back and contend for Championships, while still being able to showcase his skill coming into the prime of his career.”

Across his NBL career, Travers has achieved a tremendous amount before reaching the age of 25.

As a Development Player, Travers helped the Perth Wildcats win an NBL Championship in NBL20, as well as the NBL Cup in NBL21.

In the modern 40-minute era of the NBL, Travers is one of only eight local players to have averaged at least one block and one steal across an entire season. He also holds the NBL record for the most ever total blocks in an NBL Championship Series (14).

Travers joins United’s collection of elite local talent under contract for the upcoming NBL27 campaign.

Chance touched on the importance on bringing in the best players out of Australia and New Zealand to the club each season.

“I'm aware of the stature that we have as a club being Melbourne United and how important it is to establish relationships and create an environment that marquee Australian players want to be a part of, and it’s certainly a goal of mine to continue that.

“We want to be a place where high level, blue chip, Australian and New Zealand players want to play and be a part of our program. We’ve obviously got a lot of them in the squad already and Luke just adds to that. 

“LT is someone I’ve had a relationship with for a long time. His ambition is to get back to the NBA, and he’s put his trust in us as a program to come back and give himself another opportunity to do that across these next two years, or to be a part of a successful United program beyond that.

“I see this next few years as really critical for him, and you're just excited about what he’s going to bring from a versatility and flexibility standpoint.”

Travers joins a roster featuring Kyle Bowen, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Joe Ingles, Fabijan Krslovic, Sean Macdonald (NRP), Malith Machar and Sam Waardenburg, as well as Development Players Jensen Bradtke and Christian D’Angelo.

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