NBL: Former Perth Wildcats star Luke Travers set for first trip home as Melbourne United player

The Red Army forgive, but they never forget. Former Perth Wildcats star Luke Travers is set to learn that lesson the hard way when he returns as a Melbourne United player writes ELIZA REILLY.

Luke Travers will return to Perth this weekend as a Melbourne United player. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Red Army forgive, but they never forget.

Former Perth Wildcats star Luke Travers is set to learn that lesson the hard way when he returns to RAC Arena for the first time as a Melbourne United player.

Travers was one of the highlights of an otherwise underwhelming season for Perth last summer. Rising from Wildcats development player to NBA draftee, the Rockingham product received interest from around the globe after deciding to test the free agency market.

But the 22-year-old eventually landed at Melbourne, with the narrative at the time centring around Travers’ desire for a bigger on-court role and to step out of Bryce Cotton’s shadow.

Wildcats coach John Rillie is set to make the most of his understanding of Travers’ talents in Perth’s bid to get one back on the turncoat.

“How we deal with Luke Travers … we respect his abilities,” Rillie said. “We should have a good beat on how he plays.

“Obviously there’s history there. You can’t deny the history. But as to how we prepare for Melbourne United, it’s no different.

“We’re obviously going to try and expose his weaknesses or what we feel are his weaknesses but if we start focusing too much on him and trying to prove a point or whatever, then you forgot about the true focus.

“They have a plethora of really good players. We can’t get focused on that.”

Travers was one of the bright spots in a disappointing last season for the Wildcats. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Rillie did however give Wildcats fans permission to express themselves however they see fit when Travers steps onto the court.

“My research into the Red Army and the way they welcome back former players, I look forward to that moment, especially seeing as we were trying to keep Luke as a Wildcat,” Rillie told Channel 9 earlier this week with a grin.

Travers is equipped for whatever comes his way. The biggest strides he’s made since moving to Melbourne have come off-court.

Travers has previously spoken about how he struggled with his first move away from home to the AIS as a 16-year-old. And it was a desire to end prove his doubters wrong and grow as a person that prompted Travers’ most east.

“For sure. Moving out of home, or out of my parent’s house, last year was a real change,” Travers told The West Australian’s The Dribble Podcast.

“I fully didn’t take in all of it I guess. I was still living with friends. I was coming home to them, and even they were cooking for me. There was definitely thoughts of, maybe I’m not going to be able to do this, but I’ve taken it on and I’m doing pretty well with it all as well.

“Just being able to cook and clean for myself off the court, but then also just meeting new people is something that I haven’t really done too much of the last couple of years.”

Travers has had a modest start to his career at Melbourne, scoring 38 points across his first three games. Even with the added expectation of history, Travers is just one of United’s several threats. Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding, Ian Clark and Robert Loe will all be out to cause a boilover in the Jungle.

“Rightfully so, they’re considered championship contenders with the roster they’ve built. Their roster is deep,” Rillie said.

Originally published as NBL: Former Perth Wildcats star Luke Travers set for first trip home as Melbourne United player