Clyde Drexler
Clyde Austin Drexler was born on the 22nd of June 1962 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in the South Park area of Houston, Texas. As a sophomore at Ross Sterling High School, he made the varsity baseball team. That same year, he tried out for the basketball team but failed to make the cut. He played as a center during his senior year. A 34-point and 27-rebound performance against Sharpstown High School during a Christmas tournament in 1979 changed everything. College coaches began calling him after that single game. He graduated from high school in 1980. Three universities recruited him including New Mexico State University and Texas Tech University. The University of Houston won his commitment because childhood friend Michael Young vouched for him. Young told an assistant coach that Drexler was the best player he had ever faced.
Drexler joined Larry Micheaux and Hakeem Olajuwon to form Phi Slama Jama at the University of Houston. This group gained national attention for their acrobatic play above the rim. New players were initiated by standing under the basket while Drexler drove from halfcourt. He would throw down a tomahawk slam over them. The team reached the Final Four in 1982 before losing to North Carolina. They averaged 15.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as small forwards. The 1982, 83 campaign saw Houston return to the Final Four ranked number one. They defeated Louisville 94, 81 in the semifinals. Sports Illustrated writer Curry Kirkpatrick called a double-pump slam by Drexler the play of the century. Drexler finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. In the championship game against North Carolina State, he scored only four points after picking up four fouls. Houston lost the upset victory. He left school with career averages of 14.4 points, 3.3 assists, and 9.9 rebounds.
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Drexler with the 14th overall pick in the 1983 NBA draft. His rookie season saw him average 7.7 points in 17.2 minutes per game. Playing time increased his second season output to 17.2 points and 6 rebounds. He made his first All-Star team in his third season averaging 18.5 points. On the 6th of January 1989, Drexler scored a career-high 50 points during a double-overtime win over the Sacramento Kings. The 1989, 90 season led Portland to the 1990 NBA Finals. They defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games. Terry Porter and Jerome Kersey bolstered the team alongside Drexler. Detroit Pistons won the series in five games despite Drexler scoring 33 points in Game 2. The 1991, 92 season featured a franchise-best 63, 19 record. Drexler finished second to Michael Jordan in MVP voting that year. He averaged 25 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. The Blazers lost to the Chicago Bulls in the 1992 NBA Finals after forcing a tie series twice. Drexler left as the all-time scoring leader for the Blazers with 18,040 points.
On the 14th of February 1995, Portland traded Drexler back home to the Houston Rockets. The deal included Tracy Murray in exchange for Otis Thorpe and draft rights. Drexler joined long-time friend Hakeem Olajuwon on the roster. Houston finished the regular season with a 47, 35 record placing them sixth in the Western Conference. On May 5, during the first round against Utah Jazz, Drexler led the Rockets with 41 points. Olajuwon added 40 points in a 123, 106 win. Houston won every remaining elimination game on their postseason run. They swept the Orlando Magic in the finals. In his third NBA Finals appearance, Drexler averaged 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. He played three full seasons with the Rockets before retiring at age 35. At retirement, he was one of only three players with 20,000 points, 6,000 assists, and 6,000 rebounds. He never missed the playoffs in fifteen seasons.
Drexler was selected to the United States Olympic basketball team known as The Dream Team. This squad won the gold medal in Barcelona in 1992. He earned a gold medal alongside other legends of the sport. The team is often considered the greatest collection of talent ever assembled for international competition. His selection came after leading Portland to the 1992 NBA Finals. He finished second to Michael Jordan in MVP voting that same year. The Dream Team victory added another major honor to his resume. He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of this specific group in 2010. The performance solidified his status among the top shooting guards of all time.
After retiring from the NBA following the 1997, 98 season, Drexler became head coach at the University of Houston. He coached the Cougars during the 1998, 99 and 1999, 2000 seasons. A 19, 39 record over two years led him to resign. He decided to spend more time with his family. Drexler retired at age 35 stating he wanted to leave on his own terms while playing at a high level. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on the 10th of September 2004. This occurred in his first year of eligibility. His number 22 jersey has been retired by the Cougars, Rockets, and Trail Blazers. He also received induction into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Drexler married Gaynell on the 30th of December 1988. They divorced in 2011. He has four children named Erica, Austin, Elise, and Adam. In 2014 he married Tonya whom he met through Dominique Wilkins. He owned homes in River Oaks-Memorial neighborhood of Houston and Dunthorpe suburb of Portland. His brother James and sisters Denise and Virginia ran Drexler's World Famous BBQ & Grill restaurants. His mother Eunice Scott worked at the downtown location started by his uncle in 1967. Two locations closed including one at Bush Intercontinental Airport. Drexler invested in real estate during his rookie NBA season. He manages Drexler Holdings LLC based in downtown Houston. He appeared on Married... with Children and Like Mike 2: Streetball. He competed on Dancing with the Stars finishing fourth in round five on the 17th of April 2007. He participated in Celebrity Apprentice helping men's team Rock Solid create video advertisements for Right Guard. He currently works as commissioner of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league.
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Common questions
When and where was Clyde Drexler born?
Clyde Austin Drexler was born on the 22nd of June 1962 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in the South Park area of Houston, Texas.
What college team did Clyde Drexler play for and what were his career averages?
Clyde Drexler played for the University of Houston as part of the Phi Slama Jama group. He left school with career averages of 14.4 points, 3.3 assists, and 9.9 rebounds.
Which NBA teams did Clyde Drexler play for during his professional career?
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Clyde Drexler with the 14th overall pick in the 1983 NBA draft. He later joined the Houston Rockets after being traded back home to Houston on the 14th of February 1995.
Did Clyde Drexler win an Olympic gold medal and when was he inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Clyde Drexler won a gold medal playing for The Dream Team at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on the 10th of September 2004.
How many children does Clyde Drexler have and who are they named?
Clyde Drexler has four children named Erica, Austin, Elise, and Adam from his marriage to Gaynell. He married Tonya in 2014 after divorcing Gaynell in 2011.