Fansided

Whatever happened to these 30 college basketball stars who flamed out in the NBA?

By Mike Phillips

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 28: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (R) of the Kentucky Wildcats greets NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) after he was selected number two overall by the Charlotte Bobcats during the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft at Prudential Center on June 28, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 28: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (R) of the Kentucky Wildcats greets NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) after he was selected number two overall by the Charlotte Bobcats during the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft at Prudential Center on June 28, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 14: Robert Traylor #34 of the New Orleans Hornets handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on April 14, 2004, at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 14: Robert Traylor #34 of the New Orleans Hornets handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on April 14, 2004, at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

24. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Robert Traylor

While the Fab Five era defined Michigan basketball in good and bad ways, the group produced three NBA stars at least. One Wolverine who flopped at the next level was Robert “Tractor” Traylor,  one of the stars in the next generation of Michigan basketball after the Fab Five.

Traylor was taken with the sixth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, who immediately traded his rights to the Milwaukee Bucks. One of the pieces going back to Dallas was Dirk Nowitzki, who went on to become one of the best players of all time, making this trade lopsided when Traylor didn’t pan out.

Traylor never averaged more than 5.7 points per game in his seven years as an NBA player, a disappointing development for a forward who dominated in college. Injuries played a role in Traylor’s downfall since a knee injury ended his NBA career and Traylor also had trouble maintaining an appropriate playing weight.

This story has a very sad ending since Traylor was continuing his career overseas before dying of a heart attack at 34-years-old in 2011. Traylor’s legacy is definitely one where casual observers will wonder what could have been if he had lived up to his potential.