History of Clyde Drexler in Timeline

Clyde Drexler, nicknamed "Clyde the Glide", is a retired American professional basketball player renowned for his 15 seasons in the NBA. A ten-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, he primarily played for the Portland Trail Blazers before winning an NBA Championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995. Drexler earned a gold medal with the 1992 "Dream Team" and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice, individually in 2004 and as part of the Dream Team in 2010. Recognized among basketball's all-time greats and one of the best shooting guards, Drexler currently serves as the commissioner of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

June 22, 1962: Clyde Drexler Born

On June 22, 1962, Clyde Austin Drexler was born. He would become a professional basketball player and later the commissioner of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league.

Others born on this day/year

1967: Family BBQ restaurant started

In 1967, Clyde Drexler's uncle started the family BBQ restaurant, Drexler's World Famous BBQ & Grill. This restaurant eventually expanded to two locations in Houston.

1977: Portland's Conference Championship

In 1990, Portland won its first conference championship since 1977, led by Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter each scoring 23 points.

1979: Attention from College Coaches

In 1979, Clyde Drexler's performance in a Christmas tournament, where he scored 34 points and had 27 rebounds against Sharpstown High School, began to attract attention from college coaches.

1980: Recruitment by Universities

In 1980, after graduating, Clyde Drexler was recruited by New Mexico State University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Houston.

1982: Final Four Appearance

In 1982, Clyde Drexler, along with other players, made the first of two straight Final Four appearances with Houston, where they lost to North Carolina.

1983: Drafted by Portland Trail Blazers

In 1983, Clyde Drexler was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 14th overall pick in the NBA draft.

December 30, 1988: Marriage to Gaynell

On December 30, 1988, Clyde Drexler married his first wife, Gaynell.

January 6, 1989: Career-High 50 Points

On January 6, 1989, Clyde Drexler scored a career-high 50 points during a double-overtime win over the Sacramento Kings.

1989: Trail Blazer Record Dunk

In 1989, Clyde Drexler set a Trail Blazer record by dunking on an 11' 1" rim.

1989: Led Portland Trail Blazers

In the 1989-1990 season, Clyde 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.

May 23, 1990: Most Steals in a Half

On May 23, 1990, Clyde Drexler recorded 6 steals in the first half of a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns.

1990: Led Trail Blazers to NBA Finals

In 1990, Clyde Drexler led the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals, averaging 23.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists during the season. They won the Conference championship since 1977.

1990: Most Steals in a 3-Game Series

In 1990, Clyde Drexler recorded 13 steals in a 3-game series between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference First round.

May 9, 1991: Blocks vs Utah Jazz

On May 9, 1991, Clyde Drexler recorded 4 blocks in a game against the Utah Jazz while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers.

1991: Franchise-Best Record

During the 1990–1991 season, Clyde Drexler led Portland to a franchise-best 63–19 record, averaging 21.5 points per game.

1991: All-NBA First Team Consideration

In the 1991-1992 season, Clyde Drexler played slightly over 35 minutes a game and helped The Blazers finish 57-25, best in the Western Conference and was considered for the All-NBA First Team.

1991: First Round Loss

The 1997-98 season marked the first opening round loss for Houston since 1991 due to an injury to Charles Barkley.

1992: Gold Medal at the Olympics

In 1992, Clyde Drexler earned a gold medal as part of the United States Olympic team, famously known as "The Dream Team".

1992: All-NBA First Team and Olympics

In 1992, Clyde Drexler made the All-NBA First Team, finished second in MVP voting, and was selected to the U.S. Olympic "Dream Team". The Trail Blazers won the second conference championship in three years.

February 14, 1995: Traded to Houston Rockets

On February 14, 1995, Clyde Drexler was traded to the Houston Rockets from the Portland Trail Blazers, along with Tracy Murray in exchange for Otis Thorpe, the draft rights of Marcelo Nicola, and a 1995 first-round draft pick.

1995: NBA Championship with Houston Rockets

In 1995, Clyde Drexler won an NBA championship with the Houston Rockets.

1995: Continued Career with Rockets

In 1995-96, Clyde Drexler played with the Houston Rockets, averaging 19.3 points per game in 52 games due to knee and ankle injuries.

November 1, 1996: Most Steals in a Half

On November 1, 1996, Clyde Drexler recorded 8 steals in the second half of a game between the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings.

1996: Named One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History

In 1996, Clyde Drexler was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1997: Head Coach at University of Houston

After retiring from the NBA following the 1997-98 season, Clyde Drexler became the head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, the University of Houston.

1997: All-Star Game Selection

In 1997, Clyde Drexler was named to the All-Star Game, but he did not play due to a hamstring injury; he played a total of 62 games while averaging eighteen points a game with six rebounds and 5.7 assists.

1998: Coached Cougars

Clyde Drexler coached the Cougars in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.

1999: Coached Cougars

Clyde Drexler coached the Cougars in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.

2000: Resigned from University of Houston

After compiling a 19–39 record in his two seasons, Clyde Drexler decided to resign to spend more time with his family in 2000.

2003: Guy Lewis Recalls Hate Mail

In 2003, Guy Lewis recalled that he initially received hate mail from Houston supporters and alumni for recruiting Clyde Drexler, as they felt that he was not good enough to play for the school.

September 10, 2004: Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

On September 10, 2004, Clyde Drexler was inducted as a player into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

2004: Co-authored "Clyde the Glide"

In 2004, Clyde 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.

Clyde The Glide

Check it on Amazon

2004: Induction into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2004, Clyde Drexler was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career.

2006: Cameo appearance in Like Mike 2: Streetball and participation in Pros vs. Joes

In 2006, Clyde Drexler made a cameo appearance in the basketball movie Like Mike 2: Streetball. Also in 2006, he participated in the first season of the Spike TV show Pros vs. Joes.

February 21, 2007: Dancing with the Stars participation announced

On February 21, 2007, it was announced that Clyde Drexler would participate in the fourth season of the American version of Dancing with the Stars with partner Elena Grinenko.

Loading Video...

April 17, 2007: Elimination from Dancing with the Stars

On April 17, 2007, Clyde Drexler and his partner Elena Grinenko were the fourth celebrity pairing to be voted off in round five of Dancing with the Stars season four.

Loading Video...

2008: Career Average of Offensive Rebounds

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

April 11, 2010: Guest appearance on Celebrity Apprentice

On April 11, 2010, Clyde Drexler appeared as a guest on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice, where he assisted the men's team in creating video advertisements for Right Guard.

Loading Video...

2010: Induction into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of "Dream Team"

In 2010, Clyde Drexler was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of "The Dream Team".

2011: Divorce from Gaynell

In 2011, Clyde Drexler divorced his first wife, Gaynell.

2014: Marriage to Tonya

In 2014, Clyde Drexler married his second wife, Tonya, whom he had met through fellow NBA star Dominique Wilkins.

2021: Named to NBA's 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Clyde Drexler was named to the league's 75th anniversary team.

2021: Ranked Among NBA's Greatest

In 2021, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Clyde Drexler as the 43rd greatest player in NBA history.