Wayman Tisdale :: June 9, 1964 - May 15, 2009

Tha jazz and basketball community are deeply saddened by the loss of Wayman Tisdale to cancer.

Front Runna - Wayman Tisdale



Tisdale graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he grew up. As a college player at Oklahoma from 1983 to 1985, he was a three-time All-American, and was the only male in Division I basketball history to be voted All-America his freshman season (Kevin Durant accomplished this feat in 2007). Tisdale was also the first freshman to become an All-American, sophomore and junior seasons. He still holds the record at Oklahoma for the most points scored by any player through their 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, and the Indiana Pacers made Tisdale the second overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft.

As a center and power forward, Tisdale 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. Tisdale and Mitch "The Rock" Richmond combined to one of the most dynamic duos in the NBA. In 1997, Tisdale retired to focus on his musical career.

As a talented bass guitarist, his perfect blend of smooth and aggressive playing was respected in the jazz community and his live performances loved.


* Power Forward (1995)
* In The Zone (1996)
* Decisions (1998)
* Face to Face (2001)
* Presents 21 Days (2003)
* Hang Time (2004)
* Way Up! (2006)
* Rebound (2008)

You will be missed Mr. Tisdale.