Clyde Drexler

Clyde Austin Drexler was born on June 22, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in Houston, Texas, and attended Ross Sterling High School. Initially trying out for the basketball team as a sophomore, he failed to make the cut. By his senior year, playing as a 6-foot-7 center, he began receiving collegiate interest after a dominant performance in a 1979 Christmas tournament. He was ultimately recruited by the University of Houston, where he became a key player in the renowned “Phi Slama Jama” basketball fraternity, known for its high-flying, acrobatic style of play. During his college career, he achieved significant milestones, including two Final Four appearances in 1982 and 1983, earning the Southwestern Conference Player of the Year award and first-team All-American honors in his final season. He remains the only player in Houston’s history with combined totals of at least 1,000 career points, 900 rebounds, and 300 assists, and stands as the school’s all-time steals leader with 268.

Drexler was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers as the 14th overall pick in the 1983 NBA draft. He spent 12 seasons with the Trail Blazers (1983–1995), during which he established himself as a prominent NBA player. He made his first All-Star team in his third season, averaging 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2.6 steals. He led the Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992, showcasing his versatility and scoring ability. In the 1991–92 season, he achieved an All-NBA First Team selection and finished second in MVP voting. In 1992, he earned a gold medal as a member of the United States Olympic “Dream Team.” In February 1995, Drexler was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he reunited with college teammate Hakeem Olajuwon. They went on to win the NBA Championship in 1995, marking a significant late-career achievement. He retired in 1998 at the age of 35, leaving the NBA with career totals of 22,195 points, 6,677 rebounds, and 6,125 assists. At the time of his retirement, he was one of only three players in NBA history with 20,000 points, 6,000 assists, and 6,000 rebounds.

Following his playing career, Drexler served as the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Houston from 1998 to 2000. He later transitioned into roles such as color commentator for FSN Houston’s broadcast of NBA games and was named Commissioner of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league in 2018. Drexler has been 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.” He was also named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. Off the court, Drexler has engaged in real estate investments and briefly ventured into the restaurant business with Drexler’s World Famous BBQ & Grill.