Luke Travers stands United for NBL24

Written by Melbourne United Media

Melbourne United have continued to build upon what looks to be one of the most formidable local cores in the NBL with the signing of Australian Boomers forward and 2022 NBA Draft Pick Luke Travers on a three-year contract.

An already established star within the league at the age of 21, Travers comes to Melbourne in what is poised to be one of the biggest and most impactful Free Agency moves in recent memory.

The athletic Aussie put together perhaps his best stretch of basketball to close the NBL23 season, averaging 10.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 50% from beyond the arc across his final 16 games.

This included a huge 22 points, 11 rebound, six assist performance in Perth’s Round 18 win over the Kings.

Speaking to MU Media, Travers talked about his anticipation at joining the two-time Champions.

“It’s a super exciting opportunity, I’m just looking forward to getting there and getting to work,” he said.

“Learning from guys like Dave Barlow, Chris Goulding and the vets that are in this group, I just can’t wait to get together with this team.

“It’s an opportunity for me to take my game to the next level… United have sent guys to the NBA and that’s where I’m trying to get to.

“Playing in front of our fans at John Cain Arena as a United player is going to be amazing. I’ve played there plenty of times against Melbourne and seeing how that place gets, I just can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Standing 200cm tall with an even greater wingspan, the man with the mullet brings elite versatility to United’s lineups heading into NBL24.

Having added Travers to an already stacked local core of talent, Head Coach Dean Vickerman believes his versatility and defensive prowess will be on full display in a Melbourne jersey.

“He can come in and play the 4 for us which is a crucial position in this league,” Dean continued.

“It starts our defence and initiates our offence, which is a massive strength for Travers. He’s a guy that can grab it off the rim and start the break or someone we can flip it to in the halfcourt to create for others.

“The shooting is really developing, we saw that this year and then he’s a crazy athlete. Someone who can be a lob threat and a dangerous cutter.

“I think with the ball movement that we can generate, people like him are going to have opportunities to attack mismatches and play at a higher pace than he has in the past. This is an opportunity for him to take his game to the next level.”

Travers joins Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, Tanner Krebs, Flynn Cameron, Zac Triplett and Campbell Blogg as contracted players for the NBL24 season.

To make sure you’ve got your seat secured to see Travers debut in a United uniform, become a member today!

NBL24 Memberships are ON SALE NOW. As well as saving up to 40% on the price of walk-up tickets, members will receive exclusive merch discounts, access to Melbourne United Super Clinics, priority access to John Cain Arena for home games, access to member functions, post-game meet and greets and much more.