Robert "Tractor" Traylor Autographed Michigan Wolverines 8x10 Photo (Press Pass)

Robert "Tractor" Traylor Autographed Michigan Wolverines 8x10 Photo (Press Pass)

Robert "Tractor" Traylor Autographed Michigan Wolverines 8x10 Photo (Press Pass)

Traylor was a McDonald's All-American the same year as Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter and Paul Pierce. He attended the University of Michigan. Standing 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and weighing in excess of 300 pounds, he joined a frontcourt for the Wolverines that included Maurice Taylor and Maceo Baston. That year he broke a backboard while dunking in a game against Ball State.[1] Traylor helped lead the Wolverines to the 1997 National Invitation Tournament title, and was named the tournament's most valuable player. His junior year was his best, as he averaged 16.2 points and 10 rebounds while leading his team to the inaugural Big Ten Tournament championship and second round of the NCAA Tournament as a three seed.

On May 11, 2011 Traylor was found dead at his apartment in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. The cause of death was apparently a heart attack. Traylor was talking to his wife on the phone at the time. A connection was suddenly lost, at which point his wife alerted team officials to investigate.[9]

Former coach Paul Silas commented about Traylor's death, saying, "It's just a shock and hard to believe."