Clyde the Glide — one of the most complete two-guards in NBA history and Portland's greatest ever player, whose Dream Team membership and 1995 NBA championship vindicated a career of excellence.
Clyde Austin Drexler was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1962. Portland Trail Blazers selected him 14th overall in the 1983 NBA Draft after playing alongside Hakeem Olajuwon at the University of Houston. His 15-season career produced 20.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game along with 10 All-Star appearances. He was named to the All-NBA First Team once and the All-NBA Defensive Second Team twice. He led the Portland Trail Blazers to two NBA Finals appearances — 1990 against Detroit and 1992 against Chicago — losing both. He won the NBA championship in 1995 when the Houston Rockets traded for him mid-season, reuniting him with Olajuwon. His nickname Clyde the Glide reflected his effortless aerial style. He was a member of the Dream Team at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics. He was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team in 1996. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004. After playing he became head coach of the University of Houston basketball programme. The combination of scoring, rebounding, passing, defending and his aerial ability made him genuinely comparable to Michael Jordan — a comparison that was made during his careers as well as after.
High-flying dunks and versatile all-around play as shooting guard
How They Played
Athletic shooting guard with excellent rebounding and passing ability
Lasting Impact
Hall of Fame guard known as 'Clyde the Glide', member of Dream Team
NBA Champion 1995
Career Honours
- NBA Champion 1995
- Olympic Gold 1992
- All-Star 10x
- All-NBA First Team
- NBA 50th Anniversary Team