Luke Travers Bio
Luke Jacob Travers (born 3 September 2001) is an Australian professional basketball player who most recently played for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), spending time on a two-way contract with the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. A versatile small forward standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and weighing 207 lb (94 kg), Travers began his professional career in Australia with the Rockingham Flames and Perth Wildcats before being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 56th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He later joined Melbourne United, won an NBL championship with the Wildcats in 2020, and represented Australia at multiple junior international tournaments.
Early Life and Background
Luke Jacob Travers was born on 3 September 2001 in Perth, Western Australia, in the coastal suburb of Rockingham. He attended Port Kennedy Primary School before moving on to Willetton Senior High School, where he continued to develop his basketball skills. Growing up in Rockingham, Travers was a childhood friend of Australian Football League (AFL) player Luke Jackson, a connection that reflected the strong sporting culture of the region.
The son of Karl and Sam Travers, Luke grew up in a supportive family environment alongside a brother and a sister. From a young age, he played junior basketball for the Rockingham Flames, working his way through local and state-level competition in Western Australia. In 2018, he helped break a 17-year drought for Western Australia by winning gold at the Under-18 National Championships, signaling his emergence as one of the state’s most promising young talents.
Path to Basketball
Travers made his senior debut for the Rockingham Flames in the State Basketball League (SBL) during the 2017 season, appearing in five games. In 2018, he played five regular-season games and all five finals games, helping the Flames sweep the Geraldton Buccaneers 2–0 in the quarter-finals while averaging 14.7 points during the semi-final series loss to the Perry Lakes Hawks. That same year, he was named Male WABL Player of the Year, an award that highlighted his rapid improvement within the Western Australian basketball system.
By 2019, Travers had become an integral part of the Flames roster, playing 18 games and averaging 11.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He was subsequently named the SBL Most Improved Player, capping a steady rise through the domestic ranks. On the international stage, Travers represented Australia at the 2017 Under-16 FIBA Asia Championship in China, where he helped the team win gold with 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocks in the title-clinching victory over China. He was named to the all-tournament second team and later played for Australia at the 2018 Under-17 FIBA World Cup in Argentina.
Luke Travers Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Travers began his senior career with the Rockingham Flames in the SBL during 2017, a developmental stage in which he adjusted to the physical demands of men’s basketball. His role grew steadily over three seasons, culminating in the 2019 SBL Most Improved Player award and a reputation as one of Australia’s most sought-after basketball prospects.
During this period, Travers attracted interest from several United States college programs but ultimately chose to remain in Australia. He later cited a lack of motivation at school as a key reason for opting to turn professional, a decision that accelerated his path toward the National Basketball League (NBL).
Perth Wildcats (2019–2023)
On 1 August 2019, Travers signed with the Perth Wildcats as a development player for the 2019–20 NBL season. His elite athleticism and ability to play multiple positions made him an attractive option for the Wildcats. In his debut on 1 December 2019, he recorded three points, four assists and two rebounds in roughly 11 minutes during a 99–88 loss to the Adelaide 36ers. On 20 December 2019, he signed a three-year contract extension with the club and became a member of the Wildcats’ championship-winning squad in March 2020, claiming the NBL title. He also joined the Cockburn Cougars in 2020, where he averaged 17.8 points, 14.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in five games during the West Coast Classic.
During the 2020–21 NBL season, Travers was thrust into a larger role after adding strength to his frame during the off-season. He started the season as the starting power forward before being replaced by Jarred Bairstow midway through the year. He returned to the starting line-up late in the regular season and in the semi-finals following a season-ending injury to Bryce Cotton, averaging 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and three assists in the 2–1 semi-final win over Illawarra. After missing the first two games of the grand final series against Melbourne United with a calf injury, he returned in game three to record nine points and six rebounds off the bench in an 81–76 series-ending loss.
In the 2021–22 NBL season, Travers entered as a fully contracted player and was ranked 83rd in ESPN’s top 100 NBA draft rankings. He set a career high with 14 rebounds on 5 December 2021 in a 90–67 win over the Cairns Taipans and followed it with a career-high 24 points on 5 February 2022 in a 101–79 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix, finishing the season with averages of 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks. He declared for the 2022 NBA draft on 24 April 2022 and was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 56th overall pick. After joining the Cavaliers for the 2022 NBA Summer League, where he averaged 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in five games, he re-joined the Wildcats for the 2022–23 NBL season. In 29 games, he averaged 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game before parting ways with the Wildcats on 30 March 2023.
Melbourne United (2023–2024)
On 17 April 2023, Travers signed a three-year deal with Melbourne United. Three months later, he helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win the 2023 NBA Summer League championship, playing in all five games and averaging 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.2 blocks. Originally signed to fill a power forward role, he was trialled as a point guard during pre-season and thrived in the expanded role.
In his debut for United on 28 September 2023, he scored a game-high 20 points in an 82–67 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix. In game one of the semi-finals against the Illawarra Hawks, he posted 24 points and eight rebounds in a 115–106 overtime win. In 36 games (34 starts) during the 2023–24 NBL season, he averaged 12.4 points on .517 shooting from the field, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.33 blocks and 1.17 steals in 27.0 minutes. On 7 August 2024, United granted Travers a release from his contract to pursue NBA opportunities.
Cleveland Cavaliers Era (2024–2026)
In July 2024, Travers re-joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2024 NBA Summer League and on 28 August signed a two-way contract, splitting the 2024–25 season with the Cleveland Charge. After appearing in all four preseason games, he made his NBA debut on 1 November against the Orlando Magic, finishing with four points, two rebounds, two assists and one block in a 120–109 win. On 13 December 2024, he recorded his first career triple-double with 25 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the Charge’s 141–131 win over the Wisconsin Herd, an effort that placed him among the G League’s most productive performers.
Travers continued his strong form into 2025, posting a second triple-double on 13 February 2025 with 25 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists and two blocks in a 130–116 win over Raptors 905, and a third on 12 March with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 120–113 win over the Rip City Remix. He added a fourth triple-double on 29 March with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 128–93 win over the Long Island Nets. On 2 July 2025, he re-signed with the Cavaliers on a two-way contract, appearing in 12 games for Cleveland and 15 games (10 starts) for the Charge in 2025–26 before being waived on 1 February 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Travers is widely regarded for his elite athleticism, versatility and ability to play multiple positions, including small forward, power forward and point guard. He has added strength to his frame over the years, allowing him to defend larger players and finish through contact, while his court vision and ball-handling have made him a credible playmaker in transition. His coachability and willingness to accept varied roles have been central to his growth across the NBL and G League.
Notable Events and Milestones
Travers’ standout moments include his role in the Perth Wildcats’ 2020 NBL championship, his 2023 NBA Summer League championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his four triple-doubles with the Cleveland Charge during the 2024–25 G League season. He also represented Australia at senior level, making his Australian Boomers debut during the 2022 FIBA World Cup qualifiers in August of that year.
Luke Travers Career Wins
Across his professional career, Luke Jacob Travers has collected major team and individual honours in Australia and the United States, including an NBL championship, an NBL Cup, an NBA Summer League title and the SBL Most Improved Player award. His trophy haul reflects a steady climb from junior basketball in Western Australia to the highest levels of the global game.
NBL Highlights
Travers’ most significant NBL achievements came with the Perth Wildcats, where he was part of the 2020 NBL championship squad and won the 2021 NBL Cup. He recorded multiple career highs with the Wildcats, including 24 points against the South East Melbourne Phoenix and 14 rebounds against the Cairns Taipans, before playing a leading role with Melbourne United during the 2023–24 NBL season.
Other Wins and Performances
On the international stage, Travers won gold with Australia at the 2017 Under-16 FIBA Asia Championship in China and helped Western Australia end a 17-year drought by claiming gold at the 2018 Under-18 National Championships. He was also part of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2023 NBA Summer League championship team and posted four triple-doubles for the Cleveland Charge during the 2024–25 NBA G League season.
Luke Travers Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Luke Jacob Travers is the son of Karl and Sam Travers, both of whom supported his early development in basketball. He has a brother and a sister, and grew up in the Rockingham suburb of Perth, Western Australia.
Personal Life
Travers maintains close ties to his hometown of Rockingham, where he first played junior basketball for the Rockingham Flames. His friendship with AFL player Luke Jackson, formed during childhood, has been noted as part of the broader sporting community that shaped his early years.
2025 Season Performance
Travers’ 2025 calendar year began with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2024 NBA Summer League campaign, where he built on his prior experience with Cleveland before re-signing a two-way contract on 2 July 2025. Splitting time between the Cavaliers and the Cleveland Charge, he balanced NBA opportunities with extended G League minutes, providing a platform to refine his point-forward skill set.
His G League form was particularly strong, highlighted by four triple-doubles between December 2024 and March 2025 that underscored his playmaking ability. He continued to develop his perimeter game and on-ball decision-making, areas of focus identified during his time at Melbourne United.
After re-signing with the Cavaliers in July 2025, Travers split the 2025–26 season between Cleveland and the Charge, appearing in 12 NBA games and 15 G League games (10 starts) before being waived on 1 February 2026. The experience offered valuable NBA-level minutes and positioned him as a versatile contributor capable of playing multiple positions at the highest level.