Robert 'Tractor' Traylor, ex-Michigan basketball player, found dead in Puerto Rico
Michigan's Robert Traylor is surrounded by fans as he sits on the bench following the team's 1997 win in the NIT final game at Madison Square Garden in New York. Michigan beat Florida State, 82-73.
Ann Arbor News
This story is developing.
Former Michigan basketball player Robert “Tractor” Traylor was found dead this morning in his apartment in Puerto Rico at the age of 34, according to a report from his Puerto Rico team, Vaqueros de Bayamon and police reports in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Puerto Rican news website El Nuevo Dia reported Traylor had a heart attack. He had surgery on his aorta in November 2005.
Traylor had been missing for three days and was found when friends went to visit him, according to a report on ESPN.com. Police in San Juan also said it appeared to be a heart attack.
Traylor, who played for U-M from 1995 to 1998, played in Mexico this season, averaging 11.6 points and 5.7 rebounds for Halcones UV Xalapa. After the Mexican season, he moved to Puerto Rico, where he averaged nine points and seven rebounds in the first nine games of the Vaqueros de Bayamon team.
The 6-foot-8 Traylor hovered near 300 pounds during his entire three-year career at Michigan where he averaged 13.3 points, 8.2 rebounds. He emerged as a key player for Michigan in the 1996-97 season, especially during the Wolverines' National Invitational Tournament run when he scored 26 points with 13 rebounds against Notre Dame and then had 26 points and 13 rebounds against Florida State in the final.
He averaged 16.2 points and 10.2 rebounds a game in the 1997-98 season, when he teamed with Louis Bullock to lead the Wolverines to a 25-9 record. He also led the Wolverines to the 1998 Big Ten Tournament championship and the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Traylor left Michigan after his junior year and was the sixth pick in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He was almost immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Pat Garrity and perennial All-Star Dirk Nowitzki.
Traylor played for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets during his seven-year NBA career. Traylor averaged 4.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in the NBA.
Traylor's heart surgery effectively ended his NBA playing days, though he talked at the time of a comeback.
After signing with New Jersey for the 2005-06 season, Traylor never suited up for the Nets after a failed physical examination. He had been playing professionally in Puerto Rico since 2010.
Traylor became more well known in Ann Arbor for his involvement in a scandal involving former Michigan booster Ed Martin. He was among the players whom Martin told federal investigators that he lent money to during their playing days.
During his freshman year at Michigan, Traylor was involved in a car accident with then-recruit Mateen Cleaves — who ended up at Michigan State — which launched the investigation that eventually led to the prosecution of Martin and the expunging of records at Michigan.
"We are saddened to hear about the loss of a former student-athlete, Robert Traylor," Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said in a short statement. "Our sympathies go out to his family during this difficult time."
Traylor — who earned more than $11 million during his NBA career — faced up to 14 months in a federal prison in 2007 after pleading guilty to tax fraud. He was sentenced to three years of probation in September 2007.
According to a 2007 report on Mlive.com, Traylor "will serve the first three months of his probation in a halfway house and the next three months in home confinement. His sentence will be served in the offseason, the court said."
That charge, according to a 2007 report by Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports, shared timing with charges filed against Traylor’s cousin, Quasand Lewis, for selling an estimated $178 million in marijuana and cocaine in Metro Detroit. Lewis also was suspected to be tied to nearly a dozen killings and several fire-bombings, according to Wetzel’s report.
Comments
riverraisin
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 12:26 a.m.
Some of my greatest memories of Tractor.... His freshman season debut during the first exhibition game, I was sitting in the front row with Traylor guarding an opponent directly in front of me. He was playing so intensely and breathing so hard that i thought he was going to hyperventilate. Fortunately, he calmed down and had a great game. Another game I attended was during the season when he went up for the monster jam that shattered the backboard. He stood under it momentarily, ducking his head, as glass rained down all around him, as if posing for the cameras. I new right then I was witnessing a once in a lifetime moment. I also remember being at the game where Michigan, 20 down at halftime, came back to beat #1 Duke. Thanks for the memories #54 Rest in peace
rreidannarbor
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.
I never forgot walking into Crisler late for a game where Traylor had just ripped the entire rim down on a thunderous dunk and they were cleaning up the glass on the floor as we arrived late for the first heal. I was so mad that we missed that.
Urban Sombrero
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
How incredibly sad. My thoughts are with his family.
azwolverine
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
Very sad news. RIP, Tractor...
81wolverine
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 7:31 p.m.
Wow, this has been a bad year for ex-Michigan athletes passing. Too much sad news. Traylor was a great player to watch, and despite the Ed Martin scandal, made a real contribution to Michigan Basketball. RIP Robert.
heartbreakM
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 6:46 p.m.
Part of any obituary is talking about the entire life, which in the tractor's case is short. I have no problem talking about the controversy, but most of us will not remember that as we look back on our memories of him. We will all remember him carrying the team in his short time at UM, and his charisma. And his huge body frame, which was interestingly smooth on the court!! RIP Tractor Traylor.
jgold47
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 8:32 p.m.
This isnt an obituary. Its a 'news' story. Save it for the obit.
S
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
Very sad. Crisler Arena.
treetowncartel
Thu, May 12, 2011 : 1:24 a.m.
I regret getting rid of my wrangler for a family friendly sedan
Dusty
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
freud·i·an slip Noun: An unintentional error regarded as revealing subconscious feelings. What subconscious feelings are you having about a Chrysler?
treetowncartel
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.
@S, you are right, Fruedian slip, my typing is rarely that good too.
treetowncartel
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
He was a large guy, who played with his heart on his sleeve. Great fun watching him here at Chrysler Arena.
treetowncartel
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
You can read my reply to S
Ed Kimball
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 7:34 p.m.
Sorry -- I posted my note before reading S's reply. :-(
Ed Kimball
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 7:34 p.m.
I assume you mean Crisler Arena.
jgold47
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
The tractors engine finally gave out. So sad, he was so young. Also love how this article spent the 2nd half talking about all the bad stuff he was accused of. Very respectful.
dmkellman
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 7:15 p.m.
Finally? Maybe if he was 102 and not 34.
Olive
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.
Sad news....RIP Robert.
Dave
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 5:24 p.m.
sounds like a heart attack?
Terri
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.
Wow.