Clyde Drexler

Clyde Drexler is an American former professional basketball player and one of the most celebrated shooting guards in the history of the National Basketball Association. In 1995, he became an NBA Champion with the Houston Rockets. He was also named an NBA All-Star ten times.

Other achievements include being named to the 50th and 75th NBA Anniversary Team. In 1992, became an Olympic Gold Medalist while representing the United States of America at the Barcelona Olympics.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Clyde Austin Drexler was born on June 22, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He stands 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 222 pounds during his playing days. He was a shooting guard and small forward. Drexler was known for his high-flying dunks, all-around game, and leadership on and off the court.

Drexler married his first wife, Gaynell, in 1988 and had three children with her: Austin, Elise, and Adam; he also has a daughter, Erica. In 2014, he married his second wife, Tonya.

Drexler’s family runs Drexler’s World Famous BBQ & Grill in Houston. After basketball, he has been active in real estate investments through Drexler Holdings LLC. He has made numerous television appearances, including on Dancing with the Stars and Celebrity Apprentice, and remains a prominent figure in basketball as the commissioner of the Big3 League.

High School and College Career

Drexler attended Sterling High School in Houston, Texas, before starring at the University of Houston from 1980 to 1983.

As a member of the famed “Phi Slama Jama” teams, he helped lead Houston to two NCAA Final Fours. In 1983, he was named a consensus second-team All-American, SWC co-Player of the Year, and had his No. 22 jersey retired by the Houston Cougars.

Professional Career

Drexler was selected 14th overall in the first round of the 1983 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.

He played 12 seasons in Portland, becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and leading the team to two NBA Finals appearances. In 1995, Drexler was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he won an NBA championship alongside Hakeem Olajuwon.

He retired in 1998 with career averages of 20.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. Throughout his career, he was named an NBA All-Star ten times. In 1992, he was named to the All-NBA First Team. Both Portland and Houston retired his jersey number.

He was also named to the 50th and 75th NBA Anniversary Teams.

After his playing career, Drexler coached the Houston Cougars from 1998 to 2000 and served as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets from 2001 to 2000.

He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice: individually in 2004 and as a member of the 1992 Dream Team in 2010.

Career Highlights

• 1995 – NBA champion
• 1986, 1988–1994, 1996, 1997 – NBA All-Star
• 1992 – All-NBA First Team
• 1988, 1991 – All-NBA Second Team
• 1990, 1995 – All-NBA Third Team
• 1996 – NBA 50th Anniversary Team
• 2021 – NBA 75th Anniversary Team
• 1983 – Consensus second-team All-American
• 1983 – SWC co-Player of the Year
• 1983 – First-team All-SWC
• 1981, 1982 – Second-team All-SWC
• 2004 - Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
• 2010 - Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (Team)

• No. 22 retired by Portland Trail Blazers
• No. 22 retired by Houston Rockets
• No. 22 retired by Houston Cougars

Medal Record, Men’s Basketball, Representing United States

• 1992 – Gold medal, Olympic Games (Barcelona)
• 1992 – Gold medal, FIBA Americas Championship (Portland)