SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Robert Traylor, the former NBA and University of Michigan big man nicknamed “Tractor” because of his hulking frame, was found dead Wednesday on the bedroom floor of his apartment. He was 34.
Traylor played seven years in the NBA, but he is perhaps most remembered for his career at Michigan, where he was a standout for three seasons but became embroiled in a major scandal involving a booster.
Police said Traylor, who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the sixth pick in 1998 but was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a deal for Dirk Nowitzki, apparently died of a heart attack.
Fiesta Bowl fined, stays in BCS
WASHINGTON — The Fiesta Bowl will be allowed to remain part of the Bowl Championship Series, though it must pay a $1 million fine, the BCS presidential oversight committee ruled in the wake of a scandal at the Arizona-based game that included apparent illegal campaign contributions from staff and lavish spending by the former CEO on parties and a night at a strip club.
The Fiesta Bowl is not entirely in the clear. An NCAA panel will decide whether to continue licensing the bowl.
Jackson leaves Lakers in limbo
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson informally wrapped up his tenure with the team three days after the two- time defending champions were swept out of the playoffs by Dallas.
“I have no plans to return,” the 65-year-old Jackson said. “Today, I’m sure. What it’s going to be like in six months, I’m not sure.”
Jackson, a 1,155-game winner whose career .704 winning percentage is the best in NBA history, made it clear he wishes he had left the Lakers last summer, fresh from the glow of his 11th championship.
• J.J. Barea said he doesn’t hold any animosity toward Andrew Bynum after the Lakers center elbowed the Dallas guard in the chest while he was in the air for a layup in Game 4 of their playoff series.
“He lost his mind and he fouled me pretty hard. I know he regrets it,” said Barea, who has a bruise on his ribs and another on his left hand.
Footnotes.
Jaromir Jagr scored a hat trick to lead the defending champion Czech Republic to a 4-0 victory over the U.S. in the quarterfinals of the ice hockey world championship in Bratislava, Slovakia.
• Minnesota basketball coach Tubby Smith said he’s “feeling great” and free of prostate cancer after dealing with the disease for the past year. Smith, 59, had not previously revealed his condition.
• Pieter Weening raced solo the final 6 miles to win the 118-mile fifth stage of the Giro d’Italia and take the race’s overall lead from David Millar.
• Former University of Colorado and NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Kordell Stewart was charged with driving with a suspended license and speeding in Alpharetta, Ga. ESPN said it was looking into the incident.
• Former ESPN commentator Jay Mariotti pleaded not guilty to charges that he stalked and assaulted his former girlfriend outside a Venice, Calif., restaurant April 15. He faces up to five years in state prison if convicted of all charges.
Denver Post wire services
