National Basketball Association

Rather than complete his senior year at OU, Tisdale decided to leave school and pursue a career with the National Basketball Association (NBA). He entered the 1985 NBA draft, and was the second overall pick by the Indiana Pacers. In 1989, he left the Pacers to join the Sacramento Kings, where he would average his career-best 21.5 points per game in the 1989-1990 season. Tisdale switched teams for the final time in 1994 to play for the Phoenix Suns for the remainder of his NBA career.

"Now Tisdale will take his basketball wizardry to the NBA. If he continues at the same pace as he has in his first outings in the high school and college ranks, then the basketball pros and fans better prepare for Tisdale's magic.

No longer will Oklahoma Sooner fans see Tisdale stalk the NCAA hardcourts in the crimson red and white uniform. Instead his attire will now be the blue and yellow of the NBA Indiana Pacers."

David Goodwin. Thursday, June 20, 1985. The Oklahoma Eagle.

"The Indiana Pacers reportedly have dealt Tisdale, their fourth-year forward and former first-round draft choice from Oklahoma, to the Sacramento Kings for Indianapolis native Wittman and veteran center-forward LaSalle Thompson.

...

Kings [sic] Coach Jerry Reynolds wouldn't confirm the trade but likes Tisdale. 

'We need to make a move for a consistent post-up player and Wayman Tisdale would fit that bill extremely well. Any player who was the second player in the draft is the kind you would want if you're building,' Reynolds said."

Associated Press. Monday, February 20, 1989. Chickasha Daily Express.

"Former Washington Hornet All-Stater and Oklahoma Sooner All-American Wayman Tisdale has recently signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Phoenix Suns. The Tisdale deal was cleared when the Suns waived forward Jerrod Mustaf and signed Tisdale, an unrestricted free agent."

Thursday, September 22, 1994. The Oklahoma Eagle.