Wayman Tisdale: In Memoriam to One of Oklahoma's Favorite Sons

Wayman Tisdale, June 9, 1965-May 15, 2009 recently passed at St. John's Medical Center in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. During Wayman Tisdale's career, he was with the NBA, OU Sooners and was an award-winning, jazz musician. Oklahoma is sad to lose this favorite son. Wayman Tisdale and his wife Regina, have four children.

Wayman Tisdale #23 at Oklahoma University

While Wayman Tisdale played college basketball at Oklahoma University from 1983-1985, he was a three-time Big Eight Conference Player of the Year. Wayman Tisdale was the first at OU to be named a first-team All American by the Associated Press during his freshman, sophomore and junior years. Wayman Tisdale still holds the record at Oklahoma University for the most points scored by any player through his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Wayman Tisdale with the NBA

Wayman Tisdale was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team when they won a gold medal. In 1985, Wayman Tisdale was the second overall pick in the NBA Draft where he ended up with the Indiana Pacers. He played center and power forward and averaged over 15 points and six rebounds per game in 12 seasons. He played with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. His best season was 1989-90 with the Kings. Wayman Tisdale averaged 22.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Wayman Tisdale as Jazz Musician

Wayman Tisdale retired from the NBA to pursue a music career with the Motown Label. Power Forward came out in 1995 and Tisdale was primarily a bass player. He recorded eight albums and in 2001, Face to Face climbed to No. 1 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart. His most recent release, Rebound, was written and released after his cancer diagnosis.

Wayman Tisdale Cancer Diagnosis

In 2007, William Tisdale began cancer treatments in his knee. It was discovered after falling down and breaking his leg a month earlier. Eventually, the cancer returned resulting in amputation. He was fitted with a prosthetic leg which he quickly learned to use.

What is noted by all that during his entire life, Wayman Tisdale had a captivating smile and happy disposition. This is true even during chemotherapy and nearing the end of his life at 44 years. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. at the BOK Center in Tulsa. Wayman Tisdale's band will play selections starting a half-hour before the service begins.

Oklahoma Loses One of it's Favorite Sons, Wayman Tisdale

"It's a shock," said former OU coach Billy Tubbs, who recruited and coached Tisdale. "I don't know of any athlete at Oklahoma or any place else who was more beloved by the fans who knew him than Wayman Tisdale. Clearly, Oklahoma lost a favorite sun and son.

Click here to read about Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper.

Sources:
Daily Oklahoma
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayman_Tisdale

Wayman Tisdale: In Memoriam to One of Oklahoma's Favorite Sons copyright 2009.