The biggest man on the Michigan basketball team almost made the biggest decision of his life.
One month after the season ended, Michigan sophomore Robert Traylor decided Wednesday of last week that it was time to declare himself for the NBA Draft.
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Traylor canceled the press conference, which was slated to take place at his alma mater, Detroit Murray-Wright High School, and decided to return to Michigan next year.
"He thought it would be in his best interests to stay in school," Murray-Wright athletic director Robert Glenn said.
One of Traylor's coaches at Murray-Wright, Earl Moore, said he didn't know about the decision until Thursday and immediately wanted more details.
"I was trying to see why he wanted to go to the NBA," Moore said.
One possible reason for Traylor's departure could have been the intense scrutiny he is under for possible NCAA violations.
Moore said the pressure may have played a role, but he wasn't sure.
Because Traylor recently finished his second year at Michigan, Moore emphasized academics when he discussed the future with Traylor.
"I told him he's not too far away from getting his degree," Moore said. "So another year wouldn't hurt."
For Traylor, whose 6-foot-8, 300-pound frame is one of the largest in the nation, the prospect of another year will most likely improve his draft status.
"He would go in a higher round if he stayed another year," Moore said. "Everybody would like to play in the NBA."
The instant Traylor canceled his press conference, the prospects of the Michigan basketball team improved dramatically.
This past season, Traylor and junior forward Maurice Taylor (who declared for the draft April 11) accounted for the bulk of the production of Michigan's front line.
The two forwards combined for 34 percent of Michigan's scoring and 38 percent of the team's output on the boards, so the prospect of losing both players to the NBA would have been a huge blow to the Wolverines.
Traylor, who started all 35 games for Michigan, was one of the most consistent Wolverines last season.
He averaged 13.1 points and a team-leading 7.7 rebounds per game while guiding Michigan to the NIT Championship. Traylor also was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
The tournament turned into Traylor's personal showcase as he took Michigan's opponents to task - particularly in the championship game.
Traylor earned the MVP after scoring 26 points and collecting 13 rebounds against Florida State to secure the title.