toward his teammates. The phrase team spirit’ cannot apply to anybody more than Wayman Tisdale.” After the Olympics, Tisdale decided to enter the 1985 NBA draft and forgo his senior year at OU. He was the second overall pick by the Indiana Pacers and thus launched a twelve-year NBA career. Tisdale played first with the Indiana Pacers, then with the Sacramento Kings, and finished his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns. During his time with the NBA, Tisdale tied the knot with Regina on August 1, 1987, and they would have four children together. In total, he played in 840 NBA games. Tisdale averaged 15.3 points per game for his professional career, with a career best of 21.5 in the 1989–1990 season in Sacramento. He averaged double figure scoring in all but his final NBA season. Tisdale’s love of music never wavered, even while he was a professional basketball player. When he traveled to out-of-town games, he carried his bass guitar in a big black case on his back. He To this day, Wayman Tisdale holds the The Tisdale brothers after a Sooners victory in would spend any spare time on the road basketball record at the University of Oklahoma 1984. Photograph by Doug Hoke. Courtesy meeting musicians and visiting jazz clubs. for most career points despite only playing Oklahoma Historical Society. Tisdale eventually met Marcus Miller who three years. Photograph by George R. Wilson. became his mentor and major influence. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. Wayman Tisdale was one of 20-plus players The U.S. Olympic basketball team won gold, Wayman Tisdale stands nearly a foot taller invited to the next phase of the U. S. Olympic with Wayman Tisdale leading the undefeated than the 500-person crowd that gathered at the basketball team tryouts. Photograph by team in the most rebounds. Courtesy Oklahoma Oklahoma State Capitol to honor Oklahoma’s the Associated Press. Courtesy Oklahoma Hall of Fame Archives. Olympic athletes. Photograph by the Associated Historical Society. Press. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. 52