Clyde Drexler

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

On February 14, 1995, the Portland Trail Blazers honored Drexler's request to be traded to a contender, sending him and Tracy Murray to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Otis Thorpe, the draft rights of Marcelo Nicola, and a 1995 first-round draft pick. Despite the Rockets finishing the regular season with a 47–35 record (6th in the West), Drexler and long-time friend Hakeem Olajuwon propelled them to an improbable second consecutive championship. In the first round, down two games to one against the Utah Jazz, Drexler led the Rockets with 41 points while Olajuwon added 40 in a 123–106 win. Houston won every remaining elimination game on their postseason run. In the Finals, the Rockets swept the Orlando Magic, with Drexler averaging 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game.

In Their Own Story

The 1995 championship run remains the crowning jewel of Drexler's Houston tenure. After the trade from Portland, he provided the scoring punch and playmaking needed to complement Olajuwon's interior mastery. On May 5, during the first round while down two games to one against the Utah Jazz, Drexler led the Rockets in scoring with 41 points while Olajuwon added 40 in a 123–106 win. Houston would go on to win the deciding Game 5, and then also win every remaining elimination game on their postseason run. In the finals, the Rockets swept the Orlando Magic. In his third and final NBA Finals appearance, Drexler averaged 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game.

Reader's Guide

For Rockets fans, Drexler's number 22 represents the seamless transition of a star who helped solidify the team's identity during their most successful period. The tradition surrounding Drexler is one of respect for his 'gliding' style of play, which became a staple of Houston basketball culture in the mid-90s. Supporters often recount stories from the 1994-95 season, highlighting how quickly he adapted alongside Hakeem Olajuwon. His presence at games and community events over the years has kept his legacy alive, serving as a reminder of the era when Houston won back-to-back championships. The 'Glide' is celebrated not just for his stats, but for his leadership and humility. He represents the ideal teammate who stepped up without demanding the spotlight from Hakeem, embodying the selfless spirit that defined those two championship teams.

Did You Know?

• Drexler failed to make his high school basketball team as a sophomore, but by his senior year he was a 6 ft 7 in center who posted a 34-point, 27-rebound game that got him recruited.
• He was a finance major at the University of Houston and worked at a bank during the summer.
• Drexler scored a career-high 50 points during a double-overtime win over the Sacramento Kings on January 6, 1989.
• 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'.
• Drexler left as the all-time scoring leader for the Portland Trail Blazers with 18,040 points, a franchise record until Damian Lillard passed him in 2022.

Early Life and College Dominance

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Drexler lived in the South Park area in Houston, Texas. He attended Ross Sterling High School in Houston, where he was a classmate of tennis player Zina Garrison. As a sophomore, he made the varsity baseball team, but tried out for the basketball team and failed to make the cut. Drexler played as a 6 ft 7 in center as a senior. He began receiving attention from college coaches following a 34-point, 27-rebound performance against Sharpstown High School during a 1979 Christmas tournament. After graduating in 1980, he was recruited by the University of Houston after childhood friend Michael Young told an assistant to head coach Guy Lewis that Drexler was the best player he had faced in high school. Houston was able to recruit them both due to Drexler's friendship with Young and his desire to stay home. Drexler majored in finance and worked at a bank during the summer. Lewis recalled in 2003 that he initially received hate mail from Houston supporters and alumni for recruiting Drexler, as they felt that he was not good enough to play for the school. Drexler, along with Young, Larry Micheaux, and new recruit Hakeem Olajuwon, comprised the 'Phi Slama Jama' basketball fraternity that gained national attention for its acrobatic, above-the-rim play. New players were 'initiated' into the fraternity by having to stand underneath the basket as Drexler drove in from halfcourt and threw down a tomahawk slam over them. Houston made the first of Drexler's two straight Final Four appearances in 1982, where they lost to eventual champions North Carolina. The 1982–83 campaign saw Houston return to the Final Four ranked No. 1. In the championship game against North Carolina State, Drexler failed to make an impact after picking up four fouls before halftime, and scored only four points on one-of-five shooting and two free throws in NC State's upset victory. Drexler declared for the NBA draft as a junior, leaving Houston with career averages of 14.4 points, 3.3 assists and 9.9 rebounds in three seasons. He remains the only player in school history with combined totals of at least 1,000 career points, 900 rebounds and 300 assists; he is also Houston's all-time steals leader with 268.

Portland Trail Blazers Era

In the 1983 NBA draft, Drexler was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 14th overall pick. He averaged 7.7 points in 17.2 minutes per game in his rookie season. In his third season Drexler made his first All-Star team, averaging 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8 assists and 2.6 steals. On January 6, 1989, Drexler scored a career-high 50 points during a double-overtime win over the Sacramento Kings. In the 1989–1990 season, Drexler led the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1990 NBA Finals, averaging 23.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists during the season. In the Finals, they played the Detroit Pistons. In Game 2, Drexler scored 33 points and contributed the go-ahead points in overtime by hitting two free throws with 2.1 seconds to beat Detroit 106–105. It was the only win in the series for the Blazers. During the 1990–1991 season, Drexler led Portland to a franchise-best 63–19 record. In the 1991–92 season he made the All-NBA First Team and finished second to Michael Jordan in MVP voting, having averaged 25 points per game to go with 6.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists. The Blazers met Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the 1992 NBA Finals. In the six-game series against Chicago, Drexler averaged 24.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. Drexler left as the all-time scoring leader for the Blazers with 18,040 points, which stood as a franchise record until Damian Lillard passed him in 2022.

Houston Rockets Championship and Olympic Glory

On February 14, 1995, with the Blazers out of serious contention for a championship, Portland honored Drexler's request to be traded to a contender. They sent the Blazer great back home to the Houston Rockets, along with Tracy Murray in exchange for Otis Thorpe, the draft rights of Marcelo Nicola, and a 1995 first-round draft pick, right before the trade deadline. Despite finishing the regular season with a record of 47–35, which placed the Rockets 6th out of 8 playoff teams in the Western Conference, Drexler and long-time friend Hakeem Olajuwon helped propel them to an improbable second consecutive championship in 1995. On May 5, during the first round while down two games to one against the Utah Jazz, Drexler led the Rockets in scoring with 41 points while Olajuwon added 40 in a 123–106 win. Houston would go on to win the deciding Game 5, and then also win every remaining elimination game on their postseason run. In the finals, the Rockets swept the Orlando Magic. In his third and final NBA Finals appearance, Drexler averaged 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. Drexler earned a gold medal on the 1992 United States Olympic team known as 'The Dream Team'. He was inducted twice into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, in 2004 for his individual career and in 2010 as a member of the 'Dream Team'.

Legacy and Post-Playing Career

Clyde 'The Glide' Drexler is often considered among the top basketball players and top shooting guards of all time, a reputation solidified by his inclusion on both the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. He was a 10-time NBA All-Star and five time All-NBA Selection. After retiring from professional play, Drexler transitioned into league leadership roles. He currently serves as the second commissioner of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league. His enduring legacy is not just defined by his championship ring or Olympic gold, but by his sustained impact on the culture and administration of basketball long after his final regular-season game.