gpikeTractor Traylor is dead
May 11th 2011 22:00
Robert "Tractor" Traylor was found dead after not being heard from for a couple of days in Puerto Rico where he is playing. Traylor died from a heart-attack at a young age of 34.
Traylor burst upon the scene as a McDonalds All-American in 1994, the same year as Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter and Paul Pierce. He went to play basketball at the University of Michigan. Traylor helped led the Wolverines to the 1997 NIT title and the second round of the 1998 NCAA tournament. But off the court issues caused the University to vacate the NIT title and Traylor's MVP in the 1998 Big Ten conference tournament. He was linked to Ed Martin, a booster who was found guilty of money laundering and loaning the money to Michigan player
Dallas drafted the 6-8, 300-pound Traylor with the sixth pick in the 1998 NBA draft. He was promptly traded to Milwaukee in exchange for Pat Garrity and Dirk Nowitski. As a rookie, Traylor averaged five points and two rebounds per games. The forward never lived up to his potential in Milwaukee, as they dealt him off to Cleveland. He was a Cavalier for one year before a stint with the Charlotte Hornets. His scoring average fell to three points per game with Cleveland and Charlotte. Traylor's second season with Charlotte, they moved to New Orleans. In 2003 with the Hornets, Traylor scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds, his best game in the NBA. One more chance with the Cavs in 2004 sending him to a new beginning overseas. Before starting this route, Traylor had surgery on his aorta in 2005. He signed with New Jersey, but failed the physical.
Traylor played in Italy and Puerto Rico with the Bayemon Cowboys. He was named 2010 defensive player of the year in the Balonesto Superior Nacional. Traylor played his final game on April 26th of this year, scoring no points in five minutes. He is remembered as a player who had not only enormous size but huge potential for greatness. He was unable to live up to these expecations, but he stayed in the game until his death.
Traylor burst upon the scene as a McDonalds All-American in 1994, the same year as Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter and Paul Pierce. He went to play basketball at the University of Michigan. Traylor helped led the Wolverines to the 1997 NIT title and the second round of the 1998 NCAA tournament. But off the court issues caused the University to vacate the NIT title and Traylor's MVP in the 1998 Big Ten conference tournament. He was linked to Ed Martin, a booster who was found guilty of money laundering and loaning the money to Michigan player
Dallas drafted the 6-8, 300-pound Traylor with the sixth pick in the 1998 NBA draft. He was promptly traded to Milwaukee in exchange for Pat Garrity and Dirk Nowitski. As a rookie, Traylor averaged five points and two rebounds per games. The forward never lived up to his potential in Milwaukee, as they dealt him off to Cleveland. He was a Cavalier for one year before a stint with the Charlotte Hornets. His scoring average fell to three points per game with Cleveland and Charlotte. Traylor's second season with Charlotte, they moved to New Orleans. In 2003 with the Hornets, Traylor scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds, his best game in the NBA. One more chance with the Cavs in 2004 sending him to a new beginning overseas. Before starting this route, Traylor had surgery on his aorta in 2005. He signed with New Jersey, but failed the physical.
Tractor Traylor is dead at 34 years of age.
Traylor played in Italy and Puerto Rico with the Bayemon Cowboys. He was named 2010 defensive player of the year in the Balonesto Superior Nacional. Traylor played his final game on April 26th of this year, scoring no points in five minutes. He is remembered as a player who had not only enormous size but huge potential for greatness. He was unable to live up to these expecations, but he stayed in the game until his death.
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Comment by Joe Soriano
Pro Sports Wrap
Orble Sport Blog
Comment by HoopsinHotlanta
Doctor Hoops
That's really sad to hear about Robert Traylor. He was such a talented player. To pass at that age is a tragedy.