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5 Things You Need To Know About New Lakers SF Travis Wear

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Travis Wear is the latest NBA hopeful to earn a training camp invite from the Los Angeles Lakers. Here’s what you need to know about the intriguing forward prospect.

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On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers added Travis Wear to their training camp roster, upping the total of bodies to 17. While he’s facing long odds to crack the final roster, the former UCLA standout certainly brings some intriguing talents to the table.

The 2009 McDonald’s All-American has enjoyed something resembling success in the NBA, but is a long ways from proving himself to be a reliable option. Hence, he’s squarely on the roster bubble with the Lakers, and will be looking to raise his stock more than anything else.

Despite all of that, it’ll be interesting to follow his progress in the coming months. Wear was once considered a high-upside NBA prospect, but an average college career kept him from earning his way onto many teams’ radars come draft time.

For now, though, he’s a Laker. So instead of focusing on the negative, let’s take a look at what makes Wear unique. What has his road to this point looked like, and why should you be excited about his presence on the roster?

Here are five things about Wear every Lakers fan should know with training camp just around the corner.

(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

Wear Is A SoCal Product

Some local fans should be familiar with the newest Laker, who spent much of his early basketball career in Southern California. In fact, he called the Golden State home even before he even knew how to dribble a basketball.

Wear was born in Long Beach, Calif. He went to Mater Dai High School, an athletics powerhouse in Santa Ana, Calif.–about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Although he began his college career at North Carolina, Wear transferred after one year to UCLA where he spent three seasons before going undrafted during the 2014 NBA Draft.

While most consider him a long shot to make the final roster for the Lakers, it’s great to see homegrown talent getting an opportunity to shine in purple and gold. If he survives into the preseason,  expect there to be quite the cheering section for Wear considering his California roots.

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Wear Has Earned One NBA Start

After going undrafted in 2014, Wear convinced the New York Knicks to bring him aboard.

During that season, Wear averaged 3.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game while playing 13.2 minutes per game in 51 appearances (one start). While he obviously made a minimal impact, it was a good introduction to the league for the young forward.

Despite an overall underwhelming first season in the NBA, Wear did show flashes of potential. In one against the Houston Rockets, he tallied 21 points and five rebounds while sinking three shots from long range.

Although he may never be more than an end-of-the-bench talent, he’s capable of putting together strong outings from time to time.

The Knicks weren’t sold as they didn’t invite him to training camp the following offseason. Still, it’s clear that he can play in the NBA, especially after furthering his development in Spain.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Wear Spent Last Season Overseas

After failing to earn a training camp opportunity with the Knicks or any other team, Wear opted to take his talents overseas a year ago. While it was obviously a disappointing development for the young NBA hopeful, it opened up some doors this offseason.

Wear’s numbers over in Spain weren’t great, as he averaged 7.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while connecting on 35 percent of his shots from deep. Still, he continued to gain experience in a solid European league, and is now primed for another opportunity in the NBA.

Many young basketball prospects looking to keep their development on track head overseas if the NBA doesn’t pan out initially. Wear got his shot in the league and showed well, but clearly needed some more work before he was ready to give it another go.

If he fails to find a spot with the Lakers, a return trip to Spain could be in his future. Getting a shot with the D-Fenders, Los Angeles’ D-League affiliate, could also be an option if he shows well during training camp.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Wear Recently Worked Out For The Lakers

On Aug. 17, the Lakers held a workout for some NBA free agents hoping to earn a longer look during training camp. Of the several players involved in the action, Wear was one of them (via Basketball Insiders’ Eric Pincus).

Most of the folks who saw that list assumed Xavier Henry would be the top option to earn an invite from Los Angeles. However, as we now know, that wasn’t exactly the case. Instead, Wear was the one who found his way onto the training camp roster.

The Lakers made it clear they weren’t necessarily looking for a contributor during the workout.

Wear clearly excelled during the workout, giving the Lakers reason to bring him back. Who knows if he’ll stick around, but the team has significant interest regardless.

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Wear And His Twin Brother Are Attached At The Hip

Well not literally, but … Wear is very close with his brother David Wear.

Let’s take a look at their history together. They both helped Mater Dei win two state championships. They both went to North Carolina out of high school, and transferred to UCLA after their freshman seasons. Both then graduated as Bruins in 2014, and both went undrafted.

From there, they briefly split as Travis joined the Knicks and David enjoyed short stints with the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings.

However, they again (somewhat) reunited while both spent the 2015-16 campaign overseas in Spain–Travis with Gipuzkoa and David with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada.

Davis re-signed with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada for the 2016-17 season, while Travis is hoping to earn a longer look with the Lakers. However, seeing as he’s a longshot to crack the final roster, Travis could again he joining his brother in Spain.

Maybe that wasn’t need-to-know information, but who doesn’t enjoy a brotherly love story?

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