Luke Travers has claimed the Ray Borner Award as the MVP of the CODE Sports NBL Blitz tournament in Bendigo.
Travers had an impressive two games, as Melbourne United won the Loggins-Bruton Cup, going undefeated.
>> United depth shines to win at Blitz
He boasted averages of 18 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks across the Blitz.
“It’s now about getting back here, dominating and putting my best foot forward, while also winning,” Travers said in August, as he eyes a return to the NBA.
“I feel like this is the best opportunity for me and the best spot, to get me back to the NBA.”
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.”
2026 Ray Borner Award voting countLuke Travers (Melbourne): 21 votesParker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand): 19 votesJosh Oduro (Melbourne): 18 votesSkylar Mays (South East Melbourne): 15 votesArnas Velička (Brisbane): 15 votesMilton Doyle (Illawarra): 15 votesMakuach Maluach (Sydney): 15 votesBryce Cotton (Adelaide): 15 votesJack McVeigh (Cairns): 12 votesTyrell Harrison (Brisbane): 12 votesFlynn Cameron (Adelaide): 12 votes