View source for Clyde Drexler

{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1962)}}
{{pp-pc}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Clyde Drexler
| image = Clyde Drexler 01.jpg
| caption = Drexler at the [[University of Houston]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1962|6|22}}
| birth_place = [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lb = 222
| high_school = [[Sterling High School (Houston)|Sterling]] ([[Houston|Houston, Texas]])
| college = [[Houston Cougars men's basketball|Houston]] (1980–1983)
| draft_year = 1983
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 14
| draft_team = [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| career_start = 1983
| career_end = 1998
| career_position = [[Shooting guard]] / [[small forward]]
| career_number = 22
| coach_start = 1998
| coach_end = 2002
| years1 = {{nbay|1983|start}}–{{nbay|1994|end}}
| team1 = [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| years2 = {{nbay|1994|end}}–{{nbay|1997|end}}
| team2 = [[Houston Rockets]]
| cyears1 = [[1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1998]]–[[1999–2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2000]]
| cteam1 = [[Houston Cougars men's basketball|Houston Cougars]]
| cyears2 = {{nbay|2001|full=y}}
| cteam2 = [[Denver Nuggets]] (assistant)
| highlights = * [[NBA champion]] ({{nbafy|1995}})
* 10× [[NBA All-Star Game|NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|1986}}, {{nasg|1988}}–{{nasg|1994}}, {{nasg|1996}}, {{nasg|1997}})
* [[All-NBA First Team]] ({{nbay|1991|end}})
* 2× [[All-NBA Second Team]] ({{nbay|1987|end}}, {{nbay|1990|end}})
* 2× [[All-NBA Third Team]] ({{nbay|1989|end}}, {{nbay|1994|end}})
* [[NBA anniversary team]] ([[50 Greatest Players in NBA History|50th]], [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team|75th]])
* No. 22 [[Portland Trail Blazers#Retired numbers|retired by Portland Trail Blazers]]
* No. 22 [[Houston Rockets#Retired numbers|retired by Houston Rockets]]
* Consensus second-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] ([[1983 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1983]])
* [[Southwest Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year|SWC co-Player of the Year]] (1983)
* First-team All-[[Southwest Conference|SWC]] (1983)
* 2× Second-team All-SWC (1981, 1982)
* No. 22 [[Houston Cougars men's basketball#Retired numbers|retired by Houston Cougars]]
| stats_league = NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 22,195 (20.4 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 6,677 (6.1 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat3value = 6,125 (5.6 apg)
| HOF_player = clyde-drexler
| CBBASKHOF_year = 2006
| medal_templates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|basketball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}}
{{MedalOlympic}}
{{MedalGold|[[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1992 Barcelona]] | [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics|Team competition]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[FIBA AmeriCup|FIBA Americas Championship]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1992 Tournament of the Americas|1992 Portland]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150429204708/http://www.usab.com/history/national-team-mens/mens-tournament-of-the-americas-1992.aspx Men's Tournament of the Americas – 1992], USA Basketball. Retrieved December 6, 2018.</ref>|[[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team|Men's basketball]]}}
}}

'''Clyde Austin Drexler''' (born June 22, 1962) is an American former professional [[basketball]] player who currently works as the commissioner of the [[Big3]] 3-on-3 basketball league. Nicknamed "'''Clyde the Glide'''", he played 15 seasons in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), spending a majority of his career with the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] before finishing with the [[Houston Rockets]]. He was a ten-time [[NBA All-Star]], five time All-NBA Selection, and was named to the [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History|NBA's 50th]] and [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team|75th anniversary teams]]. Drexler won an [[NBA championship]] with Houston in 1995, and earned a gold medal on the [[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team|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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/1992-united-states-olympic-team |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - Hall of Famers |access-date=March 11, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818075707/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/1992-united-states-olympic-team |archive-date=August 18, 2010}}</ref> Drexler is often considered among the top basketball players and top shooting guards of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Andy |date=September 21, 2019 |title=NBA All-Time Player Rankings: Top 10 Shooting Guards |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2852997-nba-all-time-player-rankings-top-10-shooting-guards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915191629/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2852997-nba-all-time-player-rankings-top-10-shooting-guards |archive-date=September 15, 2019 |access-date=October 6, 2021 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=ESPN|title=All-Time #NBArank: Michael Jordan tops list of best shooting guards|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarankSGs/ranking-top-10-shooting-guards-ever|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=November 21, 2022|archive-date=February 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215153412/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarankSGs/ranking-top-10-shooting-guards-ever|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- More citations needed here. -->

==Early years==
Drexler was born in [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], and lived in the [[South Park, Houston|South Park]] area in [[Houston, Texas]].<ref name="Shilcutt1">Shilcutt, Katharine. "Still Standing." ''[[Houston Press]]''. Wednesday January 12, 2011. [http://www.houstonpress.com/2011-01-13/news/still-standing/ 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116033842/http://www.houstonpress.com/2011-01-13/news/still-standing/ |date=January 16, 2011 }}. Retrieved on January 13, 2011.</ref> He attended [[Sterling High School (Houston)|Ross Sterling High School]]<ref>[http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=6fe7ae4b10762110VgnVCM10000028147fa6RCRD&vgnextchannel=65db2f796138c010VgnVCM10000052147fa6RCRD "NBA Legends Unveil Tundra Turnaround Court at Delmar Complex"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205174049/http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=6fe7ae4b10762110VgnVCM10000028147fa6RCRD&vgnextchannel=65db2f796138c010VgnVCM10000052147fa6RCRD |date=December 5, 2008 }} – Houston Independent School District – May 7, 2007</ref> in Houston, where he was a classmate of tennis player [[Zina Garrison]].<ref name="sikids">Higdon, David. "Clyde Drexler: Portland's Pride". ''Sports Illustrated for Kids'' February 1993.</ref> As a sophomore, he made the varsity baseball team, and tried out for the basketball team but failed to make the cut.<ref name="cdbio"/> Drexler played as a {{height|ft=6|in=7}} [[center (basketball)|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.<ref name="cdbio"/>

After graduating in 1980, he was recruited by [[New Mexico State University]], [[Texas Tech University]], and the [[University of Houston]], the latter after childhood friend [[Michael Young (basketball, born 1961)|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.<ref name="cdbio"/> Drexler majored in finance and worked at a bank during the summer.<ref name="sikids"/> 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.<ref name="cdbio"/>

==College career==
[[File:Clyde Drexler as a Houston Cougars player.jpg|left|thumb|Drexler [[slam dunk]]s as a member of the [[Houston Cougars men's basketball]] team]]

Drexler and Young, along with [[Larry Micheaux]] and new recruit [[Hakeem Olajuwon]] (known then as Akeem), 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.<ref name="slam"/> Houston made the first of Drexler's two straight [[Final Four]] appearances in 1982, where they lost to eventual champions [[University of North Carolina|North Carolina]]. He averaged 15.2 points and 10.5 rebounds (second in the [[Southwest Conference]]) per game as a small forward as Houston finished 25–8.<ref name="cdbio"/><ref name=LATimes>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-02-07-sp-5346-story.html |title=Drexler's Days as a Forward Behind Him |last=Haley |first=Ish |newspaper=[[Dallas Times-Herald]] |via=Los Angeles Times |date=February 7, 1986 |access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-date=June 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622130432/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-02-07-sp-5346-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 1982–83 campaign saw Houston return to the Final Four ranked No. 1. They were matched up against No. 2 [[University of Louisville|Louisville]] and the "Doctors of Dunk" in the semifinals, which Houston won 94–81 following a brilliant dunking display by both sides, including a double-pump slam by Drexler that ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' writer Curry Kirkpatrick called "your basic play of the century".<ref name="fleer14">''Clyde Drexler Career Highlights'' No. 14, "Quotes in Mid-Flight." Fleer Corporation, 1993–94</ref> He finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists. In the [[1983 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|championship game]] against [[North Carolina State University|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.<ref name="slam">Bengtson, Russ. ''Quiet as Kept'', ''Slam'' Magazine, December 1996</ref>

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. In addition to being named the Southwestern Conference Player of the Year and a first-team All American his final season,<ref name="fleer3">''Clyde Drexler Career Highlights'' No. 3, "Southern Rock n' Roll." Fleer Corporation, 1993–94</ref> 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.<ref name="database">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20101214042921/http://databasebasketball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=DREXLCL01 Database Basketball]}}</ref>

==NBA career==

=== Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995) ===
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. These all improved with more playing time in his second season, to 17.2 points, 6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game. 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]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://oregonsportshall.org/timeline/clyde-drexler-basketball/|title=Clyde Drexler – Basketball &#124; Oregon Sports Hall of Fame & Museum|date=November 9, 2018|accessdate=April 4, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103152226/http://oregonsportshall.org/timeline/clyde-drexler-basketball/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/tbtdrexler30oct14|title=Portland Trail Blazers &#124; NBA.com|website=www.nba.com|accessdate=April 4, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103153725/https://www.nba.com/blazers/tbtdrexler30oct14|url-status=live}}</ref>

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. The Blazers (ranked 3rd in the Western Conference) made it to the Conference Finals against the [[Phoenix Suns]]. While Drexler only led in scoring in the final two games, the Blazers were bolstered by players such as [[Terry Porter]] and [[Jerome Kersey]] to a six-game series victory, with Drexler and Porter each scoring 23 in the 112–109 victory that gave Portland its first conference championship since 1977. In the Finals, they played the [[Detroit Pistons]]. Drexler led the Blazers with 21 points in Game 1, but they lost 105–99. 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, who lost narrowly in Game 4 by three and lost the final game after Detroit went on a 9–0 run. During the [[1990–91 NBA season|1990–1991 season]], Drexler led Portland to a franchise-best 63–19 record. He played in every game for the first time in four seasons and averaged 21.5 points per game while having 6.7 rebounds and six assists on average. Heavily favored to win the West, the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] upset the Trail Blazers by winning the Western Conference Finals.

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 while playing slightly over 35 minutes a game; the Blazers finished 57–25, best in the Western Conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1992.html#mvp|title=1991–92 NBA MVP Voting|publisher=basketballreference.com|access-date=December 2, 2017|archive-date=October 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023115643/https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1992.html#mvp|url-status=live}}</ref> The Blazers lost just twice in the first two rounds of the postseason, In the Conference Finals, they faced the [[Utah Jazz]]. Teammate Terry Porter cited Drexler decades later as the key guy to get the ball to when it came down to late in a game to make plays. Portland won the first two games at home before Utah responded with two victories in Utah. In Game 5, Portland won in overtime to set up a Game 6 in Utah. Porter and Drexler each scored 18 points in the pivotal Game 6 that the Blazers won 105–97 to clinch their second conference championship in three years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/portland-trail-blazers/clyde-drexler-was-more-scorer-portland-trail-blazers|title=Clyde Drexler was more than a scorer for the Portland Trail Blazers|website=RSN|accessdate=April 4, 2023|archive-date=March 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322220455/https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/portland-trail-blazers/clyde-drexler-was-more-scorer-portland-trail-blazers|url-status=live}}</ref> Drexler and the Blazers met Jordan and the [[Chicago Bulls]] in the [[1992 NBA Finals]]. In the Finals, Drexler was the leader or tied for the lead in scoring for the Blazers in each of the six games, leading all scorers once in Game 3 with 32 points in a 94–84 loss. Despite forcing a tie series twice, the Bulls pulled a comeback in the fourth quarter to turn a 15-point deficit into a win that clinched the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199206070POR.html|title=1992 NBA Finals Game 3: Bulls vs Trail Blazers, June 7, 1992|website=Basketball-Reference.com|accessdate=April 4, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103152710/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199206070POR.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the six-game series against Chicago, Drexler averaged 24.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1992_finals.html|title=1992 NBA Finals Composite Box Score|publisher=basketballreference.com|access-date=December 2, 2017|archive-date=June 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603021446/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1992_finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, he was selected to the U.S. Olympic basketball team, nicknamed "[[United States men's national basketball team|The Dream Team]]", which won the gold medal in [[1992 Summer Olympics|Barcelona]].

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/damian-lillard-passes-clyde-drexler-as-portland-trail-blazers-all-time-scoring-leader|title=Damian Lillard passes Clyde Drexler as Blazers' all-time scoring leader|website=NBA.com|accessdate=April 4, 2023|archive-date=December 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220075733/https://www.nba.com/news/damian-lillard-passes-clyde-drexler-as-portland-trail-blazers-all-time-scoring-leader|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Houston Rockets (1995–1998) ===
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 NBA Finals|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-06-sp-63076-story.html|title=Drexler Gets 41, Olajuwon 40, Other Rockets 42 : NBA playoffs: It adds up to a 123-106 victory over Jazz, tying series, 2-2.|first=L. A. Times|last=Archives|date=May 6, 1995|website=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=April 4, 2023|archive-date=January 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106172703/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-06-sp-63076-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Houston would go on to win the deciding Game 5, and then also win every remaining elimination game on their postseason run.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2020/05/05/today-in-1995-playoffs-rockets-win-first-of-five-elimination-games/|title=Today in 1995 playoffs: Rockets win first of five elimination games|date=May 5, 2020|accessdate=April 4, 2023|archive-date=February 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208193621/https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2020/05/05/today-in-1995-playoffs-rockets-win-first-of-five-elimination-games/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1995_finals.html|title=1995 NBA Finals Composite Box Score|publisher=basketballreference.com|access-date=December 2, 2017|archive-date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314174611/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1995_finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Drexler played his last three full seasons with the Rockets. The 1995–96 season saw him average 19.3 points per game in 52 games played, owing to knee and ankle injuries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rockets' Drexler to Have Knee Surgery |work=Chicago Tribune |date=February 25, 1996 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-02-25-9602250065-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |archive-date=January 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101230356/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-02-25-9602250065-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Drexler Will Miss Five to Six Weeks |work=The New York Times |date=February 27, 1996 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/27/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-drexler-will-miss-five-to-six-weeks.html |access-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003234757/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/27/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-drexler-will-miss-five-to-six-weeks.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Howard-Cooper |first=Scott |title=Drexler Ankle Better Than His Attitude |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 30, 1996 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-30-sp-64251-story.html |access-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003234757/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-30-sp-64251-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>  The Rockets dispatched their first-round opponent in the Lakers to face the [[Seattle SuperSonics]]. Drexler led the team in a variety of categories in the series such as rebounds (twice), points (twice), and assists (once), but the Sonics eliminated the Rockets in four games. 

In the 1996-97 season, the Rockets, having traded for [[Charles Barkley]] before the year started, went 21–2 to begin the year, but injuries would pile on the team, with Drexler having a hamstring injury; he was named to the All-Star Game, but he did not play in what ended up as his final selection.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Barkley and Drexler Are Injured |work=The New York Times |date=January 29, 1997 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/29/sports/barkley-and-drexler-are-injured.html |access-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109230525/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/29/sports/barkley-and-drexler-are-injured.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Drexler played a total of 62 games while averaging eighteen points a game with six rebounds and 5.7 assists. The Rockets finished 57–25 and made it all the way to the Conference Finals against the Jazz. The Rockets forced six games after winning Game 3 and 4, but the Jazz won in six to end the season. 

The 1997–98 season was his final season in the NBA. He played in 70 games and averaged 18.4 points a game with 4.9 rebounds (his lowest since his rookie year) and 5.5 assists. These totals led the team (as Olajuwon played less due to injury), which staggered to a 41–41 record and a playoff spot. The Rockets played the Jazz in the opening round and held a series lead going into Game 4, but an injury to Barkley spelled the end of their chances, as Utah rallied to send Houston home in five games, the first opening round loss for Houston since 1991. 

Drexler retired at the age of 35, stating his reason as doing so because of his desire to leave on his own terms while still playing at a "high level".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/309184-kleemans-jump-hook-my-interview-with-clyde-drexler|title=Kleeman's Jump Hook: My Interview With Clyde Drexler|first=Robert|last=Kleeman|website=Bleacher Report|accessdate=April 4, 2023|archive-date=March 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322220456/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/309184-kleemans-jump-hook-my-interview-with-clyde-drexler|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of his retirement, Drexler was one of only three players in history with 20,000 points, 6,000 assists and 6,000 rebounds. In fifteen seasons, he never missed the playoffs.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3007297/2021/12/15/nba-75-at-no-43-clyde-drexler-was-a-high-flying-athletic-guard-who-glided-to-greatness/|title=NBA 75: At No. 43, Clyde Drexler was a high-flying, athletic guard who glided to greatness|first=John|last=Hollinger|website=The Athletic|access-date=April 4, 2023|archive-date=March 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307225658/https://theathletic.com/3007297/2021/12/15/nba-75-at-no-43-clyde-drexler-was-a-high-flying-athletic-guard-who-glided-to-greatness/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==NBA career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y}}

===Regular season===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1983}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1983–84 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| '''82''' || 3 || 17.2 || .451 || .250 || .728 || 2.9 || 1.9 || 1.3 || .4 || 7.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1984}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1984–85 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 80 || 43 || 31.9 || .494 || .216 || .759 || 6.0 || 5.5 || 2.2 || '''.9''' || 17.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1985}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1985–86 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 75 || 58 || 34.3 || .475 || .200 || .769 || 5.6 || '''8.0''' || 2.6 || .6 || 18.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1986}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1986–87 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| '''82''' || '''82''' || 38.0 || .502 || .234 || .760 || 6.3 || 6.9 || 2.5 || '''.9''' || 21.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1987}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1987–88 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 81 || 80 || 37.8 || '''.506''' || .212 || .811 || 6.6 || 5.8 || 2.5 || .6 || 27.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1988}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1988–89 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 78 || 78 || '''39.3''' || .496 || .260 || .799 || '''7.9''' || 5.8 || '''2.7''' || .7 || '''27.2'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1989}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 73 || 73 || 36.8 || .494 || .283 || .774 || 6.9 || 5.9 || 2.0 || .7 || 23.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1990}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1990–91 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| '''82''' || '''82''' || 34.8 || .482 || .319 || .794 || 6.7 || 6.0 || 1.8 || .7 || 21.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1991}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 76 || 76 || 36.2 || .470 || .337 || .794 || 6.6 || 6.7 || 1.8 || '''.9''' || 25.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1992}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1992–93 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 49 || 49 || 34.1 || .429 || .233 || '''.839''' || 6.3 || 5.7 || 1.9 || .8 || 19.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1993}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1993–94 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 68 || 68 || 34.3 || .428 || .324 || .777 || 6.5 || 4.9 || 1.4 || .5 || 19.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1994}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1994–95 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 41 || 41 || 34.8 || .428 || '''.363''' || .835 || 5.7 || 5.1 || 1.8 || .5 || 22.0
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|{{nbay|1994}}†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1994–95 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 35 || 34 || 37.1 || '''.506''' || .357 || .809 || 7.0 || 4.4 || 1.8 || .7 || 21.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1995}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1995–96 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 52 || 51 || 38.4 || .433 || .332 || .784 || 7.2 || 5.8 || 2.0 || .5 || 19.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1996}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 62 || 62 || 36.6 || .442 || .355 || .750 || 6.0 || 5.7 || 1.9 || .6 || 18.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1997}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1997–98 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 70 || 70 || 35.3 || .427 || .317 || .801 || 4.9 || 5.5 || 1.8 || .6 || 18.4
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 1,086 || 950 || 34.6 || .472 || .318 || .788 || 6.1 || 5.6 || 2.0 || .7 || 20.4
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|All-Star
| 9 || 4 || 18.4 || .506 || .286 || 1.000 || 4.9 || 2.6 || 1.3 || .7 || 10.7
{{s-end}}

===Playoffs===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1984 NBA playoffs|1984]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1983–84 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 5 || {{sort|-|—}} || 17.0 || .429 || .000 || '''.857''' || 3.4 || 1.6 || 1.0 || .2 || 7.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1985 NBA playoffs|1985]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1984–85 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 9 || 9 || 37.7 || .410 || .286 || .844 || 6.1 || '''9.2''' || 2.6 || '''1.0''' || 16.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1986 NBA playoffs|1986]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1985–86 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 4 || 4 || 36.3 || .456 || .400 || .783 || 6.3 || 6.5 || 1.5 || .8 || 18.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1987 NBA playoffs|1987]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1986–87 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 4 || 4 || 38.3 || .456 || .250 || .793 || 7.5 || 3.8 || 1.8 || .8 || 24.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1988 NBA playoffs|1988]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1987–88 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 4 || 4 || 42.5 || .386 || '''.500''' || .724 || 7.0 || 5.3 || '''3.0''' || .5 || 22.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1989 NBA playoffs|1989]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1988–89 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 3 || 3 || '''42.7''' || '''.493''' || .000 || .765 || 6.7 || 8.3 || 2.0 || .7 || '''27.7'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1990 NBA playoffs|1990]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 21 || 21 || 40.6 || .441 || .220 || .774 || 7.2 || 7.1 || 2.5 || .9 || 21.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1991 NBA playoffs|1991]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1990–91 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 16 || 16 || 39.6 || .476 || .268 || .776 || 8.1 || 8.1 || 2.1 || '''1.0''' || 21.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1992 NBA playoffs|1992]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 21 || 21 || 40.3 || .466 || .235 || .807 || 7.4 || 7.0 || 1.5 || '''1.0''' || 26.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1993 NBA playoffs|1993]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1992–93 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 3 || 3 || 38.7 || .419 || .417 || .800 || 6.3 || 4.7 || 1.7 || '''1.0''' || 19.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1994 NBA playoffs|1994]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1993–94 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 4 || 4 || 39.3 || .425 || .231 || .826 || '''10.3''' || 5.5 || 2.0 || .5 || 21.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"|[[1995 NBA playoffs|1995]]†
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1994–95 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| '''22''' || '''22''' || 38.6 || .481 || .303 || .786 || 7.0 || 5.0 || 1.5 || .7 || 20.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1996 NBA playoffs|1996]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1995–96 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 8 || 8 || 36.5 || .415 || .265 || .765 || 7.8 || 5.0 || 2.6 || .5 || 16.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1997 NBA playoffs|1997]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 16 || 16 || 38.9 || .436 || .373 || .778 || 5.6 || 4.8 || 1.6 || .4 || 18.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1998 NBA playoffs|1998]]
| style="text-align:left;”|[[1997–98 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 5 || 5 || 36.4 || .309 || .192 || .757 || 5.4 || 4.6 || 1.6 || .6 || 15.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 145 || 140 || 38.4 || .447 || .288 || .787 || 6.9 || 6.1 || 1.9 || .7 || 20.4
{{s-end}}

==Awards==
* First-team NCAA All-American (1983)
* [[Southwest Conference]] Player of the Year (1983)
* 10-time NBA All-Star (1986, 1988–1994, 1996, 1997)
* All-NBA First Team (1992)
* All-NBA Second Team (1988, 1991)
* All-NBA Third Team (1990, 1995)
* Olympic gold medalist (1992)
* NBA championship (1995)
* Named one of the [[NBA 50 Greatest Players|50 Greatest Players in NBA History]] (1996)
* Two-time [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] Inductee
* [[Oregon Sports Hall of Fame]] Inducted (2001)
* Named to the [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team]] (2021)

==NBA records==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}

===Regular season===
[[List of National Basketball Association players with 9 or more steals in a game|'''Most steals in a half''': 8, second half, Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings, {{Dts|1996|11|1}}]]

'''Most offensive rebounds by a guard in a career''': 2,615
'''Blocks: 4 vs [[Utah Jazz]]''' May 9, 1991 [https://www.nba.com/stats/player/17/career Clyde Drexler | Portland Trail Blazers]

===Playoffs===

'''Most steals in a 3-game series''': 13, Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks, 1990 Western Conference First round

'''Most steals in a half''': 6, Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns, {{Dts|1990|5|23}}

===All-Star Game===
'''Highest free throw percentage for a career''': 1.000 (12–12)

==Player profile==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}
Clyde "The Glide" Drexler, as he was nicknamed at the University of Houston and throughout his professional career, was famed for his speed and athleticism on the court and his easygoing and quiet demeanor off the court. At the University of Houston, Drexler became well known for his exceptional abilities as a finisher, but generally was not considered a great shooter. During his pro career Drexler developed a much more well-rounded game, even becoming an effective post player and more consistent outside shooter. His extraordinary leaping abilities allowed him to be an acrobatic [[slam dunk|dunker]] and Drexler participated in numerous [[Slam dunk contest|NBA All-Star dunk contest]]s during the late eighties.

Drexler was regarded as a versatile player, and he was consistently among the leaders at his position in points, [[rebound (basketball)|rebounds]], [[assist (basketball)|assists]], and [[steal (basketball)|steals]]. He also posted a considerable number of [[block (basketball)|blocked shots]] for a player his size, ranking third for his career totals among guards.

Drexler set a Trail Blazer record in 1989 by dunking on an 11' 1" rim.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/clyde_drexler/bio.html NBA.com Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228215011/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/clyde_drexler/bio.html |date=December 28, 2007 }} – [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] – Accessed January 13, 2008</ref>

As of 2008, Drexler leads all guards with his career average of offensive rebounds with 2.4 per game.

In 2021, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary ''[[The Athletic]]'' ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Drexler as the 43rd greatest player in NBA history.<ref name="auto"/>

==College coaching career==
After retiring from the NBA following the [[1997–98 NBA season|1997–98 season]], he became the head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, the [[Houston Cougars men's basketball|University of Houston]].<ref name="cdbio2">Drexler, Clyde with Kerry Eggers. ''Clyde the Glide''. Sports Publishing. 2004. {{ISBN|1-58261-742-2}}</ref>

Drexler coached the Cougars in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 seasons. After compiling a 19–39 record in his two seasons, Drexler decided to resign to spend more time with his family.<ref name=NYTcoach>{{cite web|title=COLLEGE BASKETBALL; Drexler Bows Out After Two Seasons|date=March 31, 2000|work=[[NYTimes.com]]|access-date=March 5, 2009|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/31/sports/college-basketball-drexler-bows-out-after-two-seasons.html|archive-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110111259/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/31/sports/college-basketball-drexler-bows-out-after-two-seasons.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Head coaching record===
{{CBB Yearly Record Start|type=coach|conf=|postseason=|poll=no}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = [[Houston Cougars men's basketball|Houston Cougars]]
| conference = [[Conference USA]]
| startyear = 1998
| endyear = 2000
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1998–99]]
| name = Houston
| overall = 10–17
| conference = 5–11
| confstanding = 6th <small>(National)</small>
| postseason = 
| ranking = no
| ranking2 = no
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1999–2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1999–00]]
| name = Houston
| overall = 9–22
| conference = 2–14
| confstanding = 6th <small>(National)</small>
| postseason = 
| ranking = no
| ranking2 = no
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Houston
| overall = 19–39 (.327)
| confrecord = 7–25 (.219)
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record End
| overall = 19–39 (.327)
| poll = no
}}

==Honors==
[[File:Drexler UH 22 CIMG1232.JPG|thumb|150px|right|One of only five numbers retired by the [[Houston Cougars men's basketball|University of Houston]] men's basketball team, Drexler's No. 22 hangs in the [[Fertitta Center]].]]
Drexler's No. 22 jersey has been retired by the Cougars (''pictured''), Rockets, and Trail Blazers. He was inducted as a player into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] on September 10, 2004, in his first year of eligibility.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/bhof-clyde-drexler.html |title=Clyde Drexler's Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Profile. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216120245/http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/bhof-clyde-drexler.html |archive-date=February 16, 2008 }} Retrieved on April 9, 2008</ref> He was named one of the [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History]] in 1996 and named to the [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team|league's 75th anniversary team]] in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-75th-anniversary-team-announced|title=NBA 75th Anniversary Team announced|website=[[NBA.com]]|access-date=October 26, 2021|archive-date=October 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025195243/https://www.nba.com/news/nba-75th-anniversary-team-announced|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2004 Drexler co-authored his biography, ''Clyde the Glide'', with ''[[Portland Tribune]]'' sports writer Kerry Eggers, and University of Houston classmate and [[CBS Sports]] broadcaster [[Jim Nantz]] providing the foreword.<ref name="cdbio">Drexler, Clyde with Kerry Eggers. ''Clyde the Glide''. Sports Publishing. 2004. {{ISBN|1-58261-742-2}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Clydedrexler2013.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Drexler poses during [[NBA Global Games]] in the [[Philippines]] in 2013]]
Drexler married his wife, Gaynell, on December 30, 1988. They divorced in 2011. He has four children: Erica, Austin, Elise, and Adam (the last three with Gaynell). In 2014 Drexler married his second wife, Tonya, whom he had met through fellow NBA star [[Dominique Wilkins]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2014/04/02/clyde-drexler-married-texas-tonya/|title=Clyde Drexler -- GETS MARRIED IN TEXAS|website=TMZ|accessdate=April 4, 2023|archive-date=April 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404064159/https://www.tmz.com/2014/04/02/clyde-drexler-married-texas-tonya/|url-status=live}}</ref> Drexler has owned homes in the [[River Oaks, Houston|River Oaks]]–[[Memorial, Houston|Memorial]] neighborhood of Houston and in the [[Dunthorpe, Oregon|Dunthorpe]] suburb of Portland.<ref name=Vondersmith-2003-12-12>Vondersmith, Jason. [https://web.archive.org/web/20211009134706/http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=21877 "Life’s a glide"] – ''[[Portland Tribune]]'' – December 12, 2003. Retrieved April 28, 2013.</ref>

His brother James and his two sisters, Denise and Virginia, once ran the family [[barbecue]] restaurants in Houston called Drexler's World Famous BBQ & Grill, which included the "22 Bar". His mother, Eunice Scott, also worked at the downtown restaurant that was started by his uncle in 1967. There were two locations, downtown Houston and [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Bush Intercontinental Airport]], that have since closed.<ref>https://www.yelp.com/biz/drexlers-bar-b-que-houston - May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.</ref> Drexler also started investing in real estate in his rookie NBA season, and although he is now mostly retired, he does do some managing of his Drexler Holdings LLC, based in downtown Houston.<ref name=Vondersmith-2003-12-12 /><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081210151939/http://ecpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/servlet/cpa.app.coa.CoaGetTp?Pg=tpid&Search_Nm=Drexler%20&Button=search&Search_ID=32003784082 Drexler Holdings LLC] at Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts – State of Texas-Secretary of State</ref>

==Books==
Drexler is the subject of the book ''Clyde Drexler: Clyde the Glide''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Clyde Drexler: Clyde the Glide|isbn=1582617422|last1=Drexler|first1=Clyde|last2=Eggers|first2=Kerry|year=2004|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC }}</ref> He also wrote the introduction to the children's book ''Shrews Can't Hoop''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Shrews Can't Hoop|isbn=1883772044|last1=Nelson|first1=Ray|year=1994|publisher=Flying Rhino Productions }}</ref>

==TV appearances==
Drexler made a guest appearance on ''[[Married... with Children]]'', a cameo appearance in an episode of ''[[Arliss (TV series)|Arliss]]'', and was also a guest star in an episode of ''[[The Sentinel (TV series)|The Sentinel]]''. In 2006, he made a cameo appearance in the basketball movie ''[[Like Mike 2: Streetball]]''. That same year, Drexler participated in the first season of the [[Spike TV]] show ''[[Pros vs. Joes]]'', which features three amateur contestants matching themselves against five professional athletes. Drexler was a member of the regular season Green Team and the season finale Orange Team.

On February 21, 2007, it was announced that Drexler would participate in the fourth season of the American version of ''[[Dancing with the Stars (US TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'' with partner [[Elena Grinenko]].<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Entertainment/story?id=2890554&page=1 "Meet the New Cast of 'Dancing With the Stars'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223002319/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Entertainment/story?id=2890554&page=1 |date=February 23, 2007 }} – [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] – February 21, 2007</ref> Drexler was the fourth celebrity to be voted off in round five on April 17, 2007.

On April 11, 2010, Drexler appeared as a guest on [[NBC]]'s ''[[Celebrity Apprentice]]'' in which he helped the men's team "Rock Solid" complete a task to create video advertisements for [[Right Guard]].

==See also==
* [[List of NBA career scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA franchise career scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career assists leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career steals leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career turnovers leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career personal fouls leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career free throw scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career triple-double leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff assists leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff steals leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff turnovers leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff triple-double leaders]]
* [[List of NBA single-game steals leaders]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{basketballstats|nba_historical=Clyde_Drexler|bbr=d/drexlcl01}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121020213859/http://www.nba.com/history/players/drexler_summary.html Clyde Drexler] at NBA Encyclopedia
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080216120245/http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/bhof-clyde-drexler.html Clyde Drexler] at the [[Basketball Hall of Fame]]
* {{Oregon Encyclopedia|drexler_clyde_1962_|author=Maxey, Wendell}}
* [http://digital.lib.uh.edu/u?/p15195coll6,161 University of Houston Digital Library photos of Clyde Drexler]

{{Navboxes
|list =
{{BIG3}}
{{1983 NBA draft}}
{{United States squad 1992 FIBA Americas Championship}}
{{Footer 1992 Olympic Champions Basketball Men}}
{{Houston Rockets 1994–95 NBA champions}}
{{Portland Trail Blazers}}
{{Houston Rockets}}
{{Southwest Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year navbox}}
{{1983 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans}}
{{2004 Basketball HOF}}
{{Basketball Hall of Fame guards}}
{{NBA50}}
{{NBA75}}
{{Houston Cougars men's basketball coach navbox}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Basketball|Biography|Sports|Texas}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Drexler, Clyde}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:All-American college men's basketball players]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Basketball coaches from Louisiana]]
[[Category:Basketball coaches from Texas]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players from New Orleans]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Houston]]
[[Category:College men's basketball head coaches in the United States]]
[[Category:Houston Cougars men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Houston Cougars men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Houston Rockets players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:NBA All-Stars]]
[[Category:NBA players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:Portland Trail Blazers draft picks]]
[[Category:Portland Trail Blazers players]]
[[Category:Shooting guards]]
[[Category:Small forwards]]
[[Category:United States men's national basketball team players]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]