Travers Eyes Championship with United

Monday, May 8, 2023

Melbourne United’s star signing Luke Travers touched down in Melbourne less than 48 hours ago and is already eyeing a championship with the team.

The 21-year-old said he’s excited to train alongside United’s veterans and confirmed his main goal next season is to help the club win its third title since 2018.

“At the moment I’m just focussing on trying to win a championship with United, that will be a big goal of mine. The challenge of that is definitely exciting,” Travers said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LT touched down ??<br><br>Welcome to Melbourne, Luke! <a href="https://t.co/Br1XHfjIZJ">pic.twitter.com/Br1XHfjIZJ</a></p>— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1653998351103459334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Travers will play beside the likes of NBL veterans Chris Goulding and Shea Ili in the upcoming season and the youngster praised United’s experience and hopes he will develop with their guidance.

“Talented, they know a lot and they’ve got a lot of experience which is the big thing for me being only 21. I want to learn as much as I can, so guys like them, Newls (Brad Newley), (David) Barlow as well,” Travers said.

“To be able to learn from them every day is something I’m looking forward to.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers draftee was just 17-years-old when he became a Perth Wildcat in 2019 in his home of Western Australia.

The opportunity to move to Melbourne will enable Travers to block out external distractions and focus on his basketball career.

“Rather than going home to family and friends, it's going home and you’re thinking about other things...for me, it’s all basketball,” Travers said.

“Just to be able to focus on that for a little bit will be good to have and just trying to make the most of it.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One of our newest NBL24 recruits, <a href="https://twitter.com/luke_travers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@luke_travers</a> stopped by MU HQ to meet the squad and get to know his new city a bit better.<br>Take a look at his first day and hear from him & <a href="https://twitter.com/DeanVickerman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeanVickerman</a><br> <br>Full interviews with Luke & Dean are available via our website and YouTube. <a href="https://t.co/opTaggtePa">pic.twitter.com/opTaggtePa</a></p>— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1654350255805313025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Head coach Dean Vickerman is a strong believer in Travers’ potential and giving him the keys to control the ball more at the four - a responsibility Travers is keen on pursuing to follow in the footsteps of NBA players Xavier Cooks and Jack White.

“I think it’ll be a lot more at the four. Going from last year Xavier Cooks, his role he had with Sydney, just the sort of offence that is built here,” Travers said.

“A lot goes through there (four), to have that and the ball in my hands a little bit more is something I’m looking forward to and I think Dean’s put the trust in me so it’s good to have.”