Ex-NBA player Robert Traylor dies at the age of 34
Former National Basketball Association (NBA) and University of Michigan’s player Robert Traylor was found dead in his oceanfront apartment on Wednesday.
The Bayamon Cowboys, for whom Traylor used to play for, and the police in San Juan said that the big man was missing since few days and was found dead on the bedroom floor with a heart attack, apparently being the cause of his
death.
Due to his hulking physique, the 34-year-old Traylor was nicknamed as “Tractor” and he was famous as a gentle giant owing to his generous smile.
Cowboys’ manager Jose Carlos Perez was saddened to hear the news and said, "He was a leader of the team. He was very, very friendly. He got along very well with everyone. The fans loved him, idolized him."
Perez told that allegedly, Robert was talking to his wife in Chicago on the phone when the connection was suddenly lost. On Wednesday, she called the team officials to inquire the situation and on subsequent investigation, he was
found dead.
The power forward was drafted as the sixth pick in 1998 by the Dallas Mavericks. However, the very same season, Mavericks traded Traylor to the Milwaukee Bucks to procure a certain Dirk Nowitzki. The big man played for two seasons
with the Bucks and spearheaded the team into the post-season with his prolific post plays.
The Bucks were also in a shock after hearing about Robert’s death, "The entire Milwaukee Bucks organization is saddened by the news of Robert Traylor's death. Robert was a fierce competitor on the court who helped the Bucks reach
the playoffs in each of his two seasons in Milwaukee. Off the court he was a gentle giant, displaying his smile and care.”
Robert was nicknamed “Tractor” during high school. He made his way to Michigan right after the departure of Fab Five stars Jalen Rose, Chris Webber and Juwan Howard. In 1995, being a part of a highly touted recruiting class, Traylor
carried the action for three seasons playing for Wolverines. Just two years later in 1997, he became one of the most dominating players of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) and a major double-double threat. The following season, Traylor averaged 16.2
points and 10.1 boards as Michigan clinched the inaugural big ten tournament.
The athletic director of Michigan Dave Brandon said on his death, "We are saddened to hear about the loss of a former student-athlete, Robert Traylor. Our sympathies go out to his family during this difficult time."
As a result of an injury, the 6 ft 8 in Robert had not been playing in the recent games. The 300-pound Traylor played his last game against San German on 26th April, 2011. Although, Traylor struggled to perform in the
game and managed to tail only five minutes of the playing time, however his last game will be forever remembered in the hearts of his fans.
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