Vickerman, Cavs' Challenge to Travers

Dean Vickerman would have thought history was repeating itself at this year’s NBA Summer League. Just 12 months after Jack White’s rapid departure to the NBA on the eve of the NBL23 season, Luke Travers was seriously impressing at the pre-season tournament.

Travers will be returning to the NBL for the upcoming season though – with a Summer League championship ring in his luggage. The forward played a crucial role in Cleveland’s triumph at the tournament – in which they went unbeaten.

With Cleveland’s two-way contract spots filled before Summer League even began, Vickerman says he was always confident the star recruit would link up with Melbourne this season.

“To hear all the two-ways had kind of disappeared on that team gave us some surety, but we were always told with some certainty that Cleveland’s thought of him was he needed to go back and go to another level in the NBL, before they felt he was ready for the NBA,” Vickerman said.

“But he had some great flashes.

“We really want to lock him into the four spot to start with and let that be his absolute base. I think we did that well with Jack White and then we were able to play him a little bit smaller. There’s so much ball-handling, it’s kind of like a second point guard on our team playing the four spot.

“I think if he finds that balance of taking people off the bounce as well, getting out in transition and making those decisions he does – and pop and dive – he can be super effective for us.”

Travers’ return to the NBL will see him link up with fellow former Wildcat – and former West Australia representative – Kyle Bowen for the first time at a professional level.

Bowen was a development player on Perth’s NBL19 title winning side, and headed to Saint Mary’s, while Travers started his own journey in the NBL.

“I still remember our nationals campaigns together representing WA, but to see him take a different pathway through the NBL and be as successful as he has, I can’t wait to play with him,” Bowen said.

“To see the success he’s had these past few years, and now winning the Summer League – hopefully we can win an NBL championship here.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That was some scrimmage ?<br><br>Some special guests dropped in for <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MelbUnited</a>&#39;s first day of pre-season ?<br><br>Read more: <a href="https://t.co/mnE8E7kEc6">https://t.co/mnE8E7kEc6</a> <a href="https://t.co/4qrTICLjDm">pic.twitter.com/4qrTICLjDm</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1681556103669358592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I can’t wait to link up with him and be that four man one-two punch we’ve talked about already.

“I’m super excited to play with such a talented kid.”

Melbourne’s NBL24 campaign will get underway on Thursday, September 28 against South East Melbourne.