Wayman Lawrence Tisdale was an American professional basketball player in the NBA….and a smooth jazz bass guitarist….who was a three-time All American at the University of Oklahoma….and he was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. As a college player at the University of Oklahoma from 1982 to 1985….he was a three-time Big Eight Conference Player of the Year….and the first player in collegiate history to be named a first-team All American by the Associated Press in his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons.He still holds the record at Oklahoma for the most points scored by any player through his freshman and sophomore seasons. He won a gold medal as a member of the 1984 U.S.Olympic basketball team coached by Indiana University’s Bobby Knight.
The Indiana Pacers made Tisdale the second overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft….who as a center and power forward….averaged over 15 points and six rebounds per game in a 12-season professional career with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns. His best season was in 1989–90 with the Kings….when he averaged 22.3 points and 7.5 rebounds a game….as he and Mitch “The Rock” Richmond….combined to form one of the most dynamic duos in the NBA. Tisdale retired in 1997 to focus on his musical career….as he was a very creative and talented musician. Tisdale became the first player in any sport to have his jersey number (23) retired by the University of Oklahoma in 1997….when Blake Griffin was granted permission to wear it during his career at OU (2007–2009)….he sought and received Tisdale’s blessing before accepting it.
The outstanding freshman award in the NCAA is named the Wayman Tisdale Award.
