Clyde Drexler is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice - in 2004 for his individual career and in 2010 as a member of the “Dream Team”.
Player Profile and Personal Life
Clyde Austin Drexler was born on June 22, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
He stands 201 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 101 kg. A right-handed shooter, he plays Shooting Guard and is known by the nickname “Clyde the Glide”.
High School and College Career
Drexler began his basketball journey at Sterling High School in Houston, Texas.
He then attended the University of Houston from 1980 to 1983, where he became a key member of the famous “Phi Slamma Jamma” basketball fraternity alongside Hakeem Olajuwon.
During his collegiate career at Houston, Drexler’s exceptional play earned him numerous accolades. He was named Southwestern Conference co-Player of the Year and Consensus Second-Team All-American in 1983.
He also made the First-Team All-SWC in 1983 and Second-Team in both 1981 and 1982. His impact on the program was so significant that the University of Houston retired his number 22.
Professional Career
Drexler was selected as the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 1983 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. His professional career spanned from 1983 to 1998, during which he wore number 22 throughout his career.
He spent the majority of his NBA career with the Trail Blazers, playing for them from 1983 to 1995. He joined the Houston Rockets in 1995 and played for the team until 1998. With them, he secured his only NBA championship in 1995.
Throughout his playing career, Drexler was selected to the NBA All-Star team ten times between 1986 and 1997. His excellence on the court earned him multiple All-NBA team selections. First Team in 1992, Second Team in 1988 and 1991, and Third Team in 1990 and 1995.
After retiring as a player, Drexler transitioned into coaching.
He served as the head coach at the University of Houston from 1998 to 2000, followed by a stint as an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets (2001-2002).
Later, the Trail Blazers and Rockets retired his number 22, and he was honored as a member of both the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
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, 2021 - NBA Anniversary Team (50th, 75th)
- 1983 - Consensus Second-Team All-American
- 1983 - SWC co-Player of the Year
- 1983 - First-Team All-SWC
- 1981, 1982 - Second-Team All-SWC
- Jersey Number 22 Retired by the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Houston Cougars
Medal Record, Men’s basketball, Representing the United States
- Gold - 1992 Olympic Games Barcelona
- Gold - 1992 FIBA Americas Championship Portland
NBA statistics
- Points - 22,195 (20.4 ppg)
- Rebounds - 6,677 (6.1 rpg)
- Assists - 6,125 (5.6 apg)
