Clyde Drexler: A Brief Biography
Clyde Drexler is a former American professional basketball player and the commissioner of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league. He played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), spending the majority of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers before finishing with the Houston Rockets. He was nicknamed "Clyde the Glide" for his gliding ability on the court.
His Early Life
Clyde Drexler was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and lived in the South Park area in Houston, Texas. He attended Ross Sterling High School in Houston.
As a sophomore, he made the varsity baseball team and tried out for the basketball team but failed to make the cut. He later played basketball at college in Houston.
Clyde's NBA Journey
Clyde Drexler's passion for basketball started when he was young and he played basketball with his brothers in their backyard. He was also inspired by his high school coach who encouraged him to play basketball and helped him develop his skills.
Drexler went on to play college basketball at the University of Houston where he became an All-American player. He was then drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1983 and played for them for 11 seasons.
Drexler was known for his athleticism and his ability to glide through the air while dunking, hence his nickname "Clyde the Glide".
Clyde Drexler's Education
Clyde Drexler was born on June 22, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Ross Sterling High School in Houston. He later went to the University of Houston.
Clyde Drexler's Championships
Clyde Drexler went to the NBA Finals 3 times. When playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, Clyde went to the NBA Finals twice, first in 1990 and then again in 1992 but couldn't win the big one.
His third Finals appearance came while playing for the Houston Rockets when in 1995 he got traded. There he reunited with his former College Teammate Hakeem Olajuwon and together they became the 1995 NBA Champions.
During his championship season, Clyde averaged 20.5 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.5 steals.
Clyde Drexler's Accomplishments and Achievements
1983 | SWC co-Player of the Year |
1983 | Consensus second-team All-American |
1988, 1991 | 2-time All-NBA Second Team |
1990, 1995 | 2-time All-NBA Third Team |
1992 | All-NBA First Team |
1986, 1988-1994, 1996, 1997 | 10-time NBA All-Star |
Year not Known | No. 22 retired by Houston Cougars |
Year not Known | Texas Sports Hall of Fame |
Year not Known | Houston Sports Hall of Fame |
Year not Known | No. 22 retired by Portland Trail Blazers |
Year not Known | No. 22 retired by Houston Rockets |
Clyde Drexler's Net worth
Clyde Drexler is a retired American professional basketball player who has a net worth of $20 million. According to other sources, his net worth is around $28 million. He started playing professional basketball in 1983 and earned a total of $31.1 million from his salary during his NBA career.
Clyde Drexler’s Contract
Clyde Drexler played most of his entire NBA career with the Trail Blazers, playing with them from 1983 to 1995, and then played his final three years (1995-98) with the Houston Rockets.
He was drafted in the 1983 NBA draft by Portland after a stellar college career at the University of Houston. As a rookie, Drexler got off to a slow start but quickly changed in year two.
He played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), spending the majority of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers before finishing with the Houston Rockets.
His Family
Clyde Drexler has four children: Erica, Austin, Elise, and Adam (the last three with Gaynell). He married his second wife, Tonya, whom he had met through fellow NBA star Dominique Wilkins.