Perth Wildcats star Luke Travers on his NBA dream, growth spurt and family

Perth Wildcats star Luke Travers understands the irony of the toughest week his teenage life being the turning point to his NBA dream. Travers went to bed as 15-year-old feeling unwell, spent the next week in his room and emerged a full inch taller. It took his body months to feel normal after the painful growth spurt, but it set the scene for him to go from a point-guard to a player who could compete all around the court. Now two metres tall, Travers has spent seven weeks in America attempting to impress NBA clubs enough to draft him on Friday morning. They see Travers’ versatility as his biggest strength and it all began from a painful time as a 15-year-old in Rockingham. “That was one of the craziest moments of my life,” Travers said. “I went to my room one day, got a really bad flu and spent a week in bed. I came out after all that and had grown an inch. It was the most sick I’ve been in a long time but it’s ended up being really worth it. “I was a late bloomer when it came to growing. I was one of the smallest guys playing point-guard at the time and I think it helped me to keep my point-guard ability. I was 15. After that growth spurt I was about six foot and then I just kept growing.” Travers’ talent has been evident to basketball purists for a long time. NBL veteran Kevin White made the decision to travel to WA and play one season for Rockingham when Travers was just 15. Travers is a shy person and barely spoke to him, but White loved what he saw and offered constant encouragement. They became Perth Wildcats teammates for the 2021 season and White said getting drafted would be an incredible reward. “When I met him, he was 15 years old and kind of dominating in a men’s league. He was scoring, rebounding, defending and passing. He had every skill and that’s really unusual,” White said. “He didn’t talk much back at 15 but now he’s come out of his shell. He knows when to switch on and when to be the boy from Rocko. He’s got flair, he’s different and what he can bring to the NBA is special. My wife and I have already said that if he gets drafted, we’ll be going to his first game.” Travers didn’t even start playing basketball until he was 11. He’d previously played Australian football and tee-ball but fell in love with his new sport. That was where he met close friend Luke Jackson. The pair represented Australia together before Jackson focused on footy and played in a premiership with Melbourne last season. Travers was at Optus Stadium cheering him on and they have spoken daily in the build up to the draft. Travers has spoken openly about his battle with anxiety but his mum Sam said there had been a massive change in his personality in the last 12 months. She said the confidence he gained from performing well on the court for the Wildcats, combined with his life experience had made him ready for the challenge of moving to the US. “I think he would have gone okay (in America) last year but definitely not to where he’s got to now. He would have happily gone but would have struggled a bit more. He wouldn’t have been as confident in himself last year,” she said. Travers’ desire to play in the NBA is about more than basketball. He understands the financial benefits that will come his way and wants to use that money to re-pay his parents. His dad Karl is a FIFO worker and is in the middle of a three-month stint in Darwin. His mum Sam has worked as a pharmacy assistant for his entire life. Karl will be desperately trying to find a way to watch the draft from his site. Sam has booked the day off and will “cry tears of joy” at home with daughter Thyra if Luke’s name is called. Oldest son Riley will be at work with his phone by his side. This family is close. When the other Wildcats players were met at the airport by wives and girlfriends after long stints interstate, Travers only wanted to be picked up by his parents. “I could talk about my family all day,” Travers said. “My dad has worked away for my whole 20 years to do whatever he can for the family and put a roof over our heads and food on the table. “My mum does as much as she can. She’s always worked six days a week while also being a home doing stuff. Then she had to sacrifice so much to get me to all of my trainings. She’d take me to early morning sessions before work and then go to work. “I’m a big car sleeper. Being as tall as I am, it’s not always comfortable but somehow I find a way. Mum had to drive. “My brother and sister always support me, always message me and always stay in contact. I can’t say enough about them.”

Perth Wildcats star Luke Travers on his NBA dream, growth spurt and family

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