“Speechless” Travers Explains NBA Draft Emotions

New Cleveland Cavalier Luke Travers has opened up on his emotions during the NBA Draft, where his NBA dream became a reality.

The Perth Wildcats star was selected by the Cavaliers with the 56^th pick, and Travers says it’s a moment he will never forget.

“A whirlwind of emotions. When people say they're speechless, it's a serious thing. You're at a loss for words at the start, but I’m just trying to soak it all in and look forward to the opportunity,” Travers told SEN.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The man. The myth. The mullet. ?<br><br>We caught up with Luke Travers to see how he&#39;s feeling after being selected by the <a href="https://twitter.com/cavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cavs</a> in the 2022 NBA Draft. <a href="https://t.co/9t5KwIQiqx">pic.twitter.com/9t5KwIQiqx</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1540226306126020608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The 20-year-old also revealed he found out he was drafted via Twitter, when news starting to break Cleveland was picking the talented Australian.

“I knew if I was to get picked up, it would be towards the end, I tried to stay level-headed through it all. When the 50s rolled around, I was getting a little bit more anxious,” Travers said.

“I got a call from my agent, just saying, be ready and make sure you’re by the TV. I found out through Twitter. My phone started blowing up. It's a cool thing to see your name up on the TV, saying that you got selected.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cleveland, we hope you like mullets and versatile forwards.<br><br>Luke Travers has been taken by the <a href="https://twitter.com/cavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cavs</a> with the 56th pick in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBADraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBADraft</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/luke_travers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@luke_travers</a> <a href="https://t.co/6H5LFOpgZ5">pic.twitter.com/6H5LFOpgZ5</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1540190729926221824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Travers is currently in Los Angeles, where he was completing draft workouts and living with Dyson Daniels, who was drafted at pick eight by the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Rockingham product plans to arrive in Cleveland near the end of the month to prepare for the NBA Summer League, which begins on July 7.  

“Looking forward to trying to put my best foot forward in the Summer League, which will be another unique experience, but definitely looking forward to it,” Travers said.

“That's the main focus right now to show out in that little couple of days that I've got to do that. I think after that happens, we'll just pretty much go from there and whatever the team wants me to do, I'll do.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With the 56th overall pick, the Cavaliers select <a href="https://twitter.com/luke_travers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@luke_travers</a> ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CavsDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CavsDraft</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/betwayusa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@betwayusa</a> <a href="https://t.co/ujSERaPmzM">pic.twitter.com/ujSERaPmzM</a></p>&mdash; Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) <a href="https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1540190581749694464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Travers was one of three NBL players to be drafted, alongside New Zealand Breakers duo Ousmane Dieng (pick 11, Oklahoma City) and Hugo Besson (pick 58, Milwaukee), as the NBL to NBA pathway continues to grow.

“It shows the talent that's out in the NBL right now, not only for the younger guys, but the talent all around,” Travers said.

“It's a legitimate pathway right now and it's only going to get better. So definitely exciting times for the NBL and I'm looking forward to staying in touch with it.”

Travers spent three seasons in Perth and averaged 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season, while displaying his versatility, athleticism, and basketball smarts.