Chat with Wayman Tisdale
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Welcome to The Show! On Wednesday, we'll have a special chat guest as we celebrate Jimmy V Week here at ESPN, when former NBA player Wayman Tisdale stops by.
In the 15 years since The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and Jim Valvano, the foundation has raised more than $80 million. The organization has also awarded cancer research grants in 38 states and the District of Columbia. The V Foundation started with the dream of Valvano, the passionate and committed former NC State basketball coach and award-winning broadcaster, as he battled cancer. For more information, or to donate to the V Foundation, call 1-800-4-JimmyV or go here. Every cent of every donation goes directly to cancer research. To see a list of games on ESPN in support of Jimmy V Week, go here. To see a list of games on ESPN in support of Jimmy V Week, go here.

Tisdale played 12 seasons in the NBA, averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds in 840 games. His best season came in the 1989-90 season with Sacramento when he averaged 22.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg. Tisdale was a collegiate star at Oklahoma, where he averaged 25.6 ppg and 10.1 rpg during his three-year career.
Send your questions now and join Tisdale Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET!
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Jimmy V Week | V Foundation | Donate Now | SportsNation index
Buzzmaster (2:31 PM)
Wayman will be by at 3 p.m. ET to take your questions!
Tim, Quincy, IL
What has been the most difficult part of your recovery?
Wayman Tisdale (3:13 PM)
I think the main thing is to just waking up to it every day. It still hits you in the face. It's there every day. It gets easier every day as well. The toughest part is that you have to adjust to it in your mind that you have to live with this the rest of your life.
Rob Johnston, Rhode Island
Wayman, First, I want to say I hope your feeling good, and I love you album Way Up!! How do you think Oklahoma will do this year with the Griffen Brothers?
Wayman Tisdale (3:14 PM)
I think they're going to be great. Those guys are both going to be drafted into the NBA. Blake is probably the most dominant player in college. He's making me proud, he's wearing my number.
Stu (Tulsa,Ok)
No one made scoring look so easy, that being said, who would win one-on-one you or Blake Griffin?
Wayman Tisdale (3:14 PM)
Oh, no question, I would. No question. I could score over anybody. It didn't matter.
James (Boston)
Hi Wayman, As a Suns fan, I remember watching you play for them. I loved your game. Congratulations on overcoming your condition with a smile. My question is was there any sign of the bone cancer before the incident on the stairs?
Wayman Tisdale (3:15 PM)
No. It was just something that happened that they discovered when the leg broke. Thank God they discovered it when the leg broek. The break was a blessing.
CC Cloutier, Hanahan, S.C.
Congratulations Wayman for reaching your potential as someone who has made his world a better place. We saw that potential when you first came to OU (I worked in the sports information office). My question: Do you keep in touch with your teammates from those years, what's going on with guys like Tim McAllister, Shawn Clark, Choo Kennedy, etc.?
Wayman Tisdale (3:16 PM)
Yeah. Clark, Watson, Johnson, Kennedy, we all stay in touch with each other. They've been very helpful in helping me recover. They come sit around with me.
Gary (Yuba City, Ca.)
Hi Wayman. Great story. I remember going to Arco Arena watching you play in the late 80's. Do you still have friends here in Sacramento and do you still visit?
Wayman Tisdale (3:16 PM)
I have a ton of friends in Sacramento. I have friends everywhere I play. Every time I play music there, it's a sell out.
Wayman Tisdale (3:17 PM)
I get to see my friends at least once a year there.
Ryan in PA
Wayman, I am also a Right Above Knee Amputee like you are, been 7 years now. Maybe your OU leg will bring them a National Championship, I received a Phillies leg this year and they won the World Series! Stay strong, and I wish you the best!
Wayman Tisdale (3:17 PM)
Thanks.
kumani. detroit ,michigan
how did it feel to find out that you will never play basketball again and to have your leg amputated?
Wayman Tisdale (3:18 PM)
My basketball days were behind me, so that was a less of a shock. I wasn't even playing pickup. I was all music at the time. But to not have your leg, it was a tough pill to swallow. It hits you and it's a bump in the road that you have to get over.
alicia houston , tx [via mobile]
Will you be able to perform at concerts? When? I love your music
Wayman Tisdale (3:18 PM)
We start the first of the year. January 18-25 on the jazz cruise. After that you'll see me back out on the cicuit.
Dan (Miami)
Your story of recovery is a real inspiration to everyone fighting cancer, Wayman. What's kept you wearing that smile every day throughout your fight against cancer when so many others may have given up?
Wayman Tisdale (3:19 PM)
I think the main thing is you have to look at it positively. I'm probably the most positive thinker I know. It's a matter of wills. Is it going to beat me or am I going to beat it? There were some nights where I thought it was getting the best of me. You just have to plow through it.
gabi la CA [via mobile]
How doesit feel to be with these special people and helping them? Was the NBA more fun or meeting these kids
Wayman Tisdale (3:20 PM)
You know what, I've had a great time in all aspects of my life. The NBA was great and this is going to be able to be great for me to get out and meet these kids. This is another challenge that I'm willing to help the others out. One of the things I was put on this earth to do was to make people happy.
Tony B
When are you dropping another album?
Wayman Tisdale (3:21 PM)
Next summer. I'll drop another record. Just to let everyone know I'm back and doing well. be on the look out.
Dave, LV
Mr. Tisdale, what was is like playing for Billy Tubbs? Thanks
Wayman Tisdale (3:22 PM)
It was very tough. He was tough. But I enjoyed it. He made it fun. Even though those three hour practices were grueling, he made it fun. You're not going to get better at anything without hard work. It was a perfect match for myself.
Damon (Socorro, NM)
Who are your biggest musical influences? Being a Tulsa-born guy, I want to say that I'm incredibly proud of you.
Wayman Tisdale (3:23 PM)
Musical influences, a lot of the funk bands of the 70s. Those kind of things, as well as some of the cutting edge jazz musicians. Guys that were edgy and stand out.
Steiny (NYC)
How inspired were you by Jimmy V?
Wayman Tisdale (3:24 PM)
I used to watch the commercials and watch the words that he stated and his statements and I used to say wow, what a strong guy. But now that I'm in the position I'm in, he's definitely someone I gain strength from and his bout with cancer. I remember playing in tournaments that he coached in. He was a big coach when I played. He's a legend.
Kelly (Oklahoma)
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30, do you still think about if, when, and where it will come back.
Wayman Tisdale (3:25 PM)
No. I don't. I just go on and live from day to day and enjoy every day that I can. To the fullest.
Luis in CA
Wayman, great to hear you being so positive, my question is if your leg didn't break, would this have been found in a regular checkup? Stay Strong!!
Wayman Tisdale (3:25 PM)
Yeah, it probably would have. But I wasn't the type of person that was going in to get those type of physicals, so I doubt it.
Kyle (Fayetteville, AR)
Wayman, How did Blake Griffin getting to wear your #23 go about happening?
Wayman Tisdale (3:26 PM)
Out of respect, he called me and asked if he could wear it and I said, yeah do your thing. He is definitley doing his thing and I'm proud of him.
Wayman Tisdale (3:27 PM)
Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts and e-mails. I can't respond to everybody. I appreciate it.
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