Re-United Travers stars as Melbourne blitz NBL rivals
Sebastian Tan |
Rising star Luke Travers has made a triumphant return to the NBL, spearheading Melbourne United to the pre-season Blitz tournament title.
After leaving the club in 2024 to take up a contract with NBA powerhouse Cleveland, the 25-year-old Travers came back to his former side and made a statement.
On Friday, he posted 23 points and nine boards against Perth before racking up a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) on Sunday to help Melbourne beat Illawarra 103-98 at Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena.
The performances earned him the tournament’s MVP gong while United (2-0) secured the Loggins-Bruton Cup by finishing above cross-town rivals South East Melbourne on the Blitz points system, which awards bonus points for winning quarters.
“I was really proud of the way our team competed, and coming out … without a couple of our key guys playing and being able to come up with a win was major for us,” Josh Oduro, who collected 22 points and nine rebounds, told AAP.
“I love how we’re coming together through this pre-season, and I hope it’ll carry us throughout the year.”
Melbourne have already emerged as a championship contender after some stellar off-season recruiting where they enlisted high-profile Australian Joe Ingles, former NBA point guard Cole Anthony and Travers.
Anthony (calf) and Ingles (ankle) didn’t play, but Melbourne will sweat on their Cairns recruit Sam Waardenburg after he landed awkwardly on his ankle and didn’t return.
It wasn’t a smooth-sailing journey to the title as Illawarra rallied from a 10-point deficit midway through the third quarter to lead 78-76 at the final change.
Both teams went tit-for-tat in a tense fourth quarter, but United produced a crucial 11-2 late run to snatch the silverware.
While the Hawks endured defeat, star recruit Milton Doyle gave them something to smile about as he registered 19 points and six rebounds to back up a stellar first performance in which he drilled a buzzer-beater to seal victory against Adelaide.
Milton’s hot start comes as Illawarra look to bounce back from an underwhelming title defence, including recruiting the 2024 champion from United.
Later on Sunday, New Zealand’s new coach Gordon Herbert inspired the Breakers to a first tournament victory by overcoming Tasmania 96-86.
Elsewhere, Dash Daniels, the brother of Atlanta Hawks guard and Boomers star Dyson, was prolific for his new team the South East Melbourne Phoenix, registering 25 points and five steals across two games.
All 10 sides will now fine tune ahead of the NBL season starting when Melbourne face the newly coached 36ers on September 19.
AAP