Robert Tractor Traylor Death: Inside the Life of Former NBA Player

Former University of Michigan standout and NBA forward Robert "Tractor" Traylor was found dead in his apartment in Spain earlier today, according to reports coming out of Puerto Rico. 

Traylor, 34, reportedly suffered a massive heart attack in his apartment, according to sources inside his Puerto Rican team, Vaqueros de Bayamon. 

At one point in the late 1990s, Traylor was a promising collegiate prospect with good size and strength in the interior. However, constant battles with weight and poor play eventually saw him regarded as a bust, and by 2005, he was playing overseas.

But, what happened to this hulking figure? How did he die? Where has he been the last six years? 

We're taking a look into Tractor's life, and breaking down just how he went from potential NBA star to a player who was averaging 8 points per game in Puerto Rico. 

Early Controversy

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13 Dec 1997: Center Robert Traylor of the Michigan Wolverines in action during a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 81-73. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport

Traylor was a 6'8" power forward for the University of Michigan from 1996 through 1998. The big man weighed in excess of 300 pounds during his time with the Wolverines, making him an imposing figure in the post. 

But, Tractor had his first run-in with controversy during his college career. The highly-recruited freshman was one of several Michigan players in the 1990s who received impermissible benefits from booster Ed Martin, as part of one of the largest recruiting scandals in NCAA history. As a result, he voluntarily gave up his awards from that time, while Michigan was forced to forefeit all records from games Traylor played in. 

Despite the controversy, Tractor was taken sixth overall in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, four spots ahead of Paul Pierce who promptly traded him to Milwaukee for Dirk Nowitzki. Needless to say, the Mavs came out on top in that trade. 

Traylor's NBA Troubles

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23 Feb 1999: Robert Traylor #54 of the Milwaukee Bucks in action during the game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks defeated the Bulls 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

It was almost immediately clear that Tractor wouldn't be the star many had hoped in the NBA. He battled weight problems throughout his career, and as a result, struggled with the pace of the NBA game. 

Traylor averaged no more than 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds with the Bucks, and was shipped to Cleveland after two seasons. There, he averaged a career-best 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds, but was shipped to Charlotte the next season. 

Tractor stayed with the Hornets for three years, before returning to Cleveland in 2004-05. Prior to the 2005-06 season, he had signed a deal with the New Jersey Nets, but had it nullified when he failed a physical. 

Since then, he has played for leagues in Turkey, Italy, and Puerto Rico, where he was named Defensive Player of the Year last season. 

Health and Personal Issues

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15 Jan 2001: Robert Traylor #54 of the Cleveland Cavaliers rests on the court during the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Arena in Oakland in Oakland, California. The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 107-101. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly u

Traylor has battled weight issues throughout his collegiate and professional career. When he was drafted, he weighed over 300 pounds, and his size quickly became a concern as his weight continued to climb in the pros. 

In 2005, Traylor had surgery to fix a problem in his aorta, a surgery that ultimately cost him a shot at making the Nets' roster that offseason. 

In 2007, Tractor pled guilty to tax evasion, telling investigators that several properties which were owned by a convicted drug dealer and money launderer, Quasand Lewis, were actually owned by the NBA forward. 

As a result, the big man was given three years of probation, the first three months of which were served in a New Orleans halfway house. 

Since then, he's largely kept his nose clean as a result of the probation, although he was electronically monitored during the remaining 33 months of the sentence. 

Tragic Death

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30 Mar 2000: A close up of Robert Traylor #54 of the Milwaukee Bucks as he looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Bucks defeated the Clippers 104-85. Mandatory Credit: Harry How

Traylor was found dead in his apartment earlier today, located in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. The 34-year-old forward reportedly suffered a massive heart attack. 

Traylor had been playing well in Puerto Rico, averaging eight points per game and being named Defensive Player of the Year last season. 

No news of when or where a memorial service will be held has been released, but, Vaqueros de Bayamon, Traylor's Puerto Rican team, has suspended its next game against Mayaguez, at the request of the team. 

Traylor wasn't perfect, and certainly wasn't a star at the professional level, but, by all accounts, the big man was a fantastic teammate. 

Must Read: In Memoriam: 50 Athletes We Lost Way Too Soon.