Five Michigan Wolverines basketball players and a top recruit miraculously escaped serious injury early Saturday morning when their vehicle rolled over on their way back from a party in Detroit.
The Players Involved:
- Maurice Taylor: Driver and 1995 Big Ten Freshman of the Year
- Willie Mitchell: Starting player
- Robert Traylor: Starting player, suffered a broken right arm and will miss the season
- Louis Bullock: Starting player
- Ron Oliver: Reserve player
- Mateen Cleaves: Top recruit from Flint Northern High School
The Incident:
- The players were returning from a late-night party in Detroit.
- The vehicle, a Ford Explorer driven by Taylor, rolled over on Michigan Highway 14 near Ann Arbor.
- Police ruled out alcohol and speeding as contributing factors.
- The players in the back were reportedly not wearing seat belts.
The Aftermath:
- All players involved escaped with minor injuries.
- Coach Steve Fisher expressed relief and emphasized the importance of good judgment.
- Taylor received a careless driving citation.
- Traylor will miss the remainder of the season due to his arm injury.
- The team is expected to play their scheduled game against Indiana later that day.
Key Takeaways:
- This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible driving and using good judgment, especially late at night.
- While fortunate to escape serious harm, the rollover highlights the potential consequences of risky behavior.
- Coach Fisher’s message regarding responsible decision-making underscores the importance of player conduct both on and off the court.