Williams Urges Travers to Step Up

Thursday, December 8, 2022

2010 NBL MVP Corey Williams has declared Perth Wildcats young guard Luke Travers needs to step up his game.

2010 NBL MVP Corey Williams has declared Perth Wildcats young guard Luke Travers needs to step up his game, saying “you’re not a baby no more” on NBL Overtime.

Travers was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second-round earlier this year but has remained with the Wildcats for NBL23 in an attempt to fast-track his on-court development.

However, with Travers showing some inconsistent performances in recent rounds Williams believes it is time for the 21-year-old to step up and play a vital role for the Wildcats.

“It’s time for Luke Travers to be a man,” Williams said.

“This ain’t baby Luke, now it’s time to level up.

“You’ve got the NBA tag on you now, you ain’t baby Luke no more, I need to see the man Luke.

“Now I need to you to be a man, you’re not a boy no more.”

Travers is averaging 8.62 points, 5.38 rebounds, and 3.38 assists per game this season. He was moved into the starting five for Perth’s last game, but Williams says Travers needs to make an impact regardless of if he starts or not.

“It’s time to take that step, I don’t care if he’s on the bench or not, when you’re in there have that impact, you’ve been there long enough,” Williams said.

“You’ve levelled up long enough, now we need to see it consistent.”

NBL analyst Liam Santamaria defended Travers' inconsistent showings, stating a player's performance mindset can be heavily influence by whether they start or not.

“I think the starting bit has an impact, coming off the bench there’s almost this subconscious idea of, hey if I can come in and have an impact, bonus. (When you’re starting it’s) no, we would need to rely on you every game,” Santamaria said.

The Wildcats have had multiple bumps in the road this season but at 6-7 are still a chance to make a run at the top six. Overtime host Cam Luke believes the ‘Cats are still “the most dangerous team outside the six”.

“They’re way better than Melbourne, they’re way better than Brisbane,” he said.

Perth defeated the New Zealand Breakers in round nine, ending the Breakers’ five-game winning streak.

Former Breakers player Corey Webster dominated the game and he is poised to play a key role on the offensive end for the rest of the season.

“Corey’s stepping in, Corey wasn’t there last year but Corey knows what is necessary and needed to join this club,” Williams said.

The ‘Cats play the Adelaide 36ers at 7:30pm AEDT on Friday night.