RR: Now as you went through Washington High School here in Tulsa, not only was the city aware of your basketball talent, but soon the state knew of your basketball talent. And it wasn’t long until America knew about your basketball talent. And before you knew it, there was not a game that Wayman Tisdale played in where there were not college scouts and even professional scouts coming. What was it like as you were a high school student in Washington, as a basketball standout and as a scholar in many ways, what was it like?
WT: Well, mainly–excuse me–it was a lot of pressure involved. But somehow God took all the pressure away from me. I really never felt any pressure until last year. But other than that–
RR: That’s when you went in the NBA?
WT: Right. But seemed like I was just having fun. I’m still having fun, but it was just like another game to me. I really, I used to pray before every game and I still do, but when I go out on the court I’m about the most relaxed player out of anybody and that’s helped me to excel through my whole career. I just never really worry about anything.
RR: Well, do you attribute that to your father and his ministry?
WT: Definitely. You know, he really, he talks to all of us and he said, “If you put God first, you have nothing to worry about.” And I really listen to him. He’s six three, 220 pounds. (Applause) He’s been a great influence on my life. He’s been a minister as long as I’ve known him and I think that he’s one of the greatest people, one of the greatest persons on this earth.
RR: Did he teach you the Bible as you were growing up?
WT: Yes, we were raised in the church. He’d sit down with us and, you know, on Wednesday nights we’d be at church. And one night out of the week the family would get together and have Bible study at times. You know, a lot of people say being a preacher’s kid, I’m sure you’ve had that also–
RR: You and I have a lot in common.
WT: Right, yeah. You know, I felt it was an honor, you know, my father being a pastor, you know. Hey, I like it.
