Hall of Fame
CLYDE DREXLER
CLASS OF 2022
Named one of the top 50 Greatest Players in NBA history, Drexler got his start at the University of Houston, where he went from an unheralded recruit from Sterling High School to “Clyde the Glide”, a player known for his high-flying, effortless glides to the basket as a member of UH’s Phi Slama Jama teams. Drexler helped lead the Cougars to two Final Four appearances and left UH after his junior season as the only player in school history with combined totals of at least 1,000 career points, 900 rebounds, and 300 assists.
(Left to Right) Clyde Drexler, U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, Calvin Murphy and ??? at the 2022 Houston Sports Awards
Watch Clyde Drexler's interview with Kevin Eschenfelderon, the "Red Carpet" at the 2022 Houston Sports Awards.
Portland made him the 14th pick of the 1983 draft, where he played for 12 seasons and led the Trailblazers to the NBA Finals in 1990. In February 1995, he was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he teamed back up with fellow Phi Slama Jama teammate Hakeem Olajuwon and together, they led the Rockets to their second-straight NBA title.
Former Blazers and Rockets teammate Mario Elie once said, “Clyde let his play do the talking... and in the biggest games of our season, he showed up big time.” Drexler played two more seasons for the Rockets, retiring after being named to 10 All-Star teams in 15 seasons, the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, and making the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Star team.
Clyde with his commemorative Walk of Fame plaque at Hall of Fame Day at GreenStreet in downtown Houston.
Watch the introduction of Clyde Drexler by Dr. J and Mario Elie at the 2022 Houston Sports Awards
His No. 22 jersey has been retired by UH, Portland and the Rockets. Drexler was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice – in 2004 for his playing career and in 2010 as a Dream Team member.
Watch the Roger Clemens induction speech at the 2022 Houston Sports Awards
Clyde Drexler and "Dr. J " Julius Erving backstage at the 2022 Houston Sports Awards.
(L-R) Clyde Drexler, Bill Worrell, Tonya Drexler, Adam Drexler at the 2022 Houston Sports Awards.
Clyde Drexler and his wife Tonya on the day of the announcement of his selection into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame.
Clyde Drexler on the day of the announcement of his selection into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame.
Roger Clemens on the Walk of Fame.
Houston Sports Hall of Fameers at the 2022 Houston Sports Awards. (L-R) Carl Lewis, Roger Clemens, Sheryl Swoopes, Clyde Drexler and Rudy Tomjanovich.
