University of Michigan center Robert Traylor plans to forego his senior season to enter the NBA draft, The Ann Arbor News reported Thursday.

Traylor, a 6-foot-8, 300-pound center who averaged 16.2 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m. Friday at Murray-Wright High School in Detroit.

It’s a product of what we’re dealing with today in terms of the marquee player going on to the next level, Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe told the newspaper. But he did say that he’s going to finish school this semester and make sure he’s in good standing so that he’s able to continue his education once he’s in the professional ranks.

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Traylor declared himself eligible for the draft last April amid extensive media coverage of his relationship with Wolverines booster Ed Martin, the central figure in internal and NCAA investigations of the Michigan program.

Traylor changed his mind after speaking with then-coach Steve Fisher, who was fired in October after the investigations revealed three minor NCAA rules violations.

Penders about to get the hook at Texas

Tom Penders, who has led the University of Texas to the NCAA Tournament in eight of his 10 seasons, is out as Longhorns coach, the Associated Press learned Wednesday night.

Penders, under fire since a player’s grades were released to a local radio station last week, is considering a job outside of coaching or being reassigned at Texas, a source close to the Longhorns basketball program said.

An Austin TV station, KEYE, also reported Wednesday that Penders would be fired or reassigned as early as Friday. Penders, the winningest coach in Texas history with a 208-110 record, said that if he is out, he has not heard about it.

Penders has four years remaining on a five-year contract extension he received last year at roughly $550,000 per year. Texas Athletic Director Leland Dodds said he will not comment until the completion of an investigation by the school into the release of Texas basketball player Luke Axtell’s confidential academic progress report to an Austin radio station.

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Patricia Ohlendorf, vice provost and counsel to the president, said Wednesday that administration officials had not reached a conclusion to their probe, which is likely to be completed Friday.

In his 10 seasons at Texas, Penders has had two losing teams, including a 14-17 mark this season. On Sunday, assistant coach Eddie Oran took responsibility for releasing Axtell’s grade report.

Axtell, granted a transfer release after being suspended by Penders on March 17 for academic reasons, has an attorney who says she is waiting to see how the investigation unfolds before taking legal action.

Texas school officials have been investigating if Penders, who was vacationing in the Caribbean at the time the academic report was released, had anything to do with the incident. Penders has said repeatedly that he did not know anything about it. Penders, however, echoed his willingness to be reassigned Wednesday.

As I’ve said many times, I have a contract that has four years remaining, Penders said. There is a reassignment clause in there, and they could reassign me for any reason. If they want to do that, that’s their prerogative.

Axtell, sophomore forward Gabe Muoneke both starters and Anthony Goode, a backup sophomore point guard, indicated they will transfer. After he was suspended, Axtell accused Penders of verbal abuse, lying and retaliating against him for going to Dodds. Penders denied verbally abusing anyone.