Former Oklahoma great Tisdale dies at 44

[rdmtimp]

Source: Yahoo/AP

Wayman Tisdale, a three-time All-American at Oklahoma who played 12 seasons in the NBA, died after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 44.

Tisdale died Friday morning at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, hospital spokeswoman Joy McGill said.

After three years at Oklahoma, Tisdale played in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. The 6-foot-9 forward, with a soft left-handed touch on the court and a wide smile off it, averaged 15.3 points for his career. He was on the U.S. team that won the gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.

After basketball, he became an award-winning jazz musician, with several albums making the top 10 on the Billboard charts.



Read more: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-obit-tisdale&prov=ap&type=lgns

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RIP from this Suns fan.

[fishwax]

1. RIP Wayman

Not only was he a great basketball player and a talented musician, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say anything bad about the guy. I went to Oklahoma (though several years after he played there), and everyone there sure loved him.

[dhill926]

2. he was seemingly a great guy.....

and incredible that he was a pro in two separate fields. RIP......

[yesphan]

3. Posted this on another thread.

I was fortunate enough to have attended OU during his tenure. He was a man among boys at the D-1
level and probably would have gone pro out of high school if it was allowed at that time.
I also had the opportunity to have a brief conversation with him on campus. He was a humble guy
with extreme talents.

P

[FrenchieCat]

4. Sad. RIP!

[DURHAM D]

5. Wayman was such a sweetheart.

I attended every home game when Wayman was playing at OU. I lived in Norman and could walk to the games.

I wonder if Billy Tubbs will grab the mic and comment on God's bad officiating?

[Maccagirl]

6. So young!

My condolences to his family, friends and fans.

[frylock]

7. damn..

very sad news.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

8. He was a hell of a bass guitarist

in addition to being a damn fine basketball player.

Very sad news.

[RedEarth]

9. Comments on death of former Oklahoma star Tisdale.. "He was the nicest man in the world "

He was the nicest man in the world with the biggest heart and an even bigger smile. I thank him for befriending me and showing me there is more to life than just basketball." -- Former Pacers star Reggie Miller, who played with Tisdale in the NBA.

___

"He was truly an inspiration to me, paving the way for an athlete like myself to pursue a passion for writing and performing music. I had the honor and privilege of having Wayman perform on the title track of my new album, and was looking forward to collaborating with him again in the future." -- Musician and former Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams.

___

"He was an All-American player and an All-American person. He lit up the day for us, I remember, at so many practices. We practiced so long and hard and Wayman's smile and whole demeanor made those so much easier." -- C.M. Newton, the manager of the 1984 Olympic team.

___

"Even in the most challenging of times, he had a smile for people, and he had the rare ability to make everyone around him smile. He was one of the most inspirational people I have ever known." -- Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry, who attended college with Tisdale.

___

"On the court, he was an offensive machine that could score with the best of them. Off the court, he was grounded in faith and family. He affected lives through the vehicles of sports and music that few others ever will. It's a huge loss." -- Mavericks President Donnie Nelson, who helped coach Tisdale with the Suns.

___

"He had an incredible gift of making the people who came in contact with him feel incredibly special. His basketball talent and accomplishments pale in comparison to the impact he had on the lives that he influenced by the way he lived his life, and the tremendous character he displayed in his fight with cancer. Throughout it all, he always had that infectious smile." -- Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel.

...........more

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2009-05-15-2279245061_x.htm



Tisdale could light up any room


By John Shinn


Anyone that knew, met or simply watched Wayman Tisdale, has a lasting memory. There was his incredible basketball career. There was his critically acclaimed career as jazz musician.

Most of all, though, there was a personality that brightened any venue he entered.

"I don't know of any athlete at Oklahoma or any place else who was more loved by the fans who knew him than Wayman Tisdale," former OU coach Billy Tubbs said Friday about his former player. "He was obviously, a great, great player, but Wayman as a person overshadowed that. He just lit up a room and was so positive."

http://www.normantranscript.com/sports/local_story_135160048.html

Wayman Tisdale, 1964-2009

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Wayman-Tisdale-1964-2009?urn=nba,163770

ESPN Classic Remembering Wayman
Network to air two of his OU games

May 15, 2009


NORMAN, Okla. - Former Oklahoma great Wayman Tisdale succumbed to cancer earlier today and is being remembered fondly from coast-to-coast. ESPN Classic is honoring his life by replaying two of his memorable OU games tonight at 7 p.m., CDT and 9 p.m., CDT.

http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/051509aaf.html

[RedEarth]

10. "I'll never forget his smile"

That seems to be the comment that everyone makes about Wayman Tisdale. That is certainly the way I'll remember him....along with the fact that he was a terrific basketball player.

Below are some links dealing with Wayman Tisdale's musical legacy, basketball legacy and his life.

http://cfc.ktul.com/mainsearch.cfm?k=wayman^tisdale&ref=nwsindex

A month ago, Wayman Tisdale was honored with the Legacy Award at the Greenwood Cultural Center.

Tisdale spent a few minutes reflecting on his life, his career and his family. It's a moving and emotional speech that epitomizes the spirit of Wayman Tisdale. You can watch the entire video by clicking here

http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0509/623243.html


http://news.google.com/news?ned=us&hl=en&topic=s&ncl=dLUkqk4-VgrcKeMGXP9HFMBawHc7M&hubgeo=Tulsa%2C+OK%2C+USA&sf_loc=6822192&cf=all&rfilter=3&scoring=n

[fishwax]

12. thanks for posting those, RedEarth

:thumbsup:

[create.peace]

16. I heard this from someone who knew him in Independence, KS

yesterday at the farmer's market. they said he was the nicest guy. so sorry for him, and his friends and family.

[DarthDem]

11. So Sad

Some great comments on this thread. My dad did some legal work for Wayman and his brother many years ago and said Wayman was an amazingly nice person. Indeed, it's true - - no one had a bad word to say about the guy. He was beloved.

For anyone who doesn't follow sports or music, this guy was not only one of the best college basketball players ever, but also a top-notch, best-selling jazz bass player with incredible technique and skill.

Pretty rare combination to find all those traits in one person. I'm so sad he's gone.

[IndianaGreen]

13. I remember him when he played for the Indiana Pacers

He overcame cancer and became an excellent Jazz musician.

RIP Wayman! :-(

[Blue_Tires]

14. r.i.p.

[Coventina]

15. RIP. I have many fond memories of the Suns' '93 run....

I was unaware of his jazz career. I'll have to check it out!

[RoyGBiv]

17. He was awesome ...

You'd see him around at jazz and blues festivals in the OKC area. He was a great musician.

Pretty good basketball player too, but music was his first and last love, and it should be comforting to know he was able to follow that particular dream of his.