Clyde Drexler (Part 3)

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11 Mar 2024

Clyde Drexler (Part 3)

Clyde "The Glide" Drexler's impact on the basketball court was immense, earning him a place among the greatest players in NBA history. Known for his remarkable athleticism, speed, and versatility, Drexler was a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor.
During his college days at the University of Houston, Drexler gained fame for his ability to finish plays with authority, showcasing his athleticism and leaping ability. While not initially known as a great shooter, he evolved his game over the course of his professional career, becoming a more well-rounded player and developing into an effective outside shooter and post player.

Drexler's versatility was one of his defining traits, consistently ranking among the leaders in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and even blocked shots for a guard of his size. His exceptional leaping ability made him a spectacular dunker, and he showcased his skills in numerous NBA All-Star dunk contests during the late 1980s.
Setting records and achieving milestones throughout his career, Drexler left an indelible mark on the game of basketball. From dunking on an 11' 1" rim with the Trail Blazers to leading all guards in career average offensive rebounds, his accomplishments were noteworthy and reflected his impact on the court.
In recognition of his contributions to the game, Drexler was named the 43rd greatest player in NBA history by The Athletic as part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary celebrations in 2021, solidifying his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

After concluding his illustrious NBA career, Clyde Drexler transitioned into coaching by taking on the role of head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, the University of Houston.
Drexler served as the head coach for the Houston Cougars during the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 seasons. Despite his legendary status as a player, his coaching tenure at the university was marked by mixed results. Over the course of two seasons, Drexler's team compiled a record of 19 wins and 39 losses.
Following his stint as head coach, Drexler made the decision to resign from his coaching position in order to prioritize spending more time with his family. While his coaching career may not have matched the success of his playing days, Drexler's impact on the game continued to be felt, both through his coaching efforts and his enduring legacy as one of basketball's all-time greats.

Clyde Drexler's remarkable contributions to basketball have been honored with the retirement of his No. 22 jersey by three different teams: the University of Houston Cougars, the Houston Rockets, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
His impact on the sport was further solidified when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player on September 10, 2004, in his first year of eligibility. Drexler's extraordinary talents and accomplishments also earned him recognition as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. Additionally, he was honored by being named to the league's prestigious 75th anniversary team in 2021.
In 2004, Drexler collaborated with Portland Tribune sports writer Kerry Eggers to co-author his biography titled "Clyde the Glide." The foreword for the book was provided by Jim Nantz, Drexler's classmate at the University of Houston and a renowned sports broadcaster for CBS Sports. Through his biography, Drexler's fascinating journey and remarkable career were captured for fans to appreciate and admire for generations to come.

Clyde Drexler's personal life reflects a commitment to family and entrepreneurship. He married Gaynell on December 30, 1988, and they had four children together: Erica, Austin, Elise, and Adam. After their divorce in 2011, Drexler found love again and married Tonya in 2014, whom he met through fellow NBA star Dominique Wilkins.
Drexler has been a homeowner in both Houston, where he resides in the River Oaks–Memorial neighborhood, and Portland, with a residence in the Dunthorpe suburb.

Outside of basketball, Drexler's family is involved in running the family barbecue restaurants in Houston known as Drexler's World Famous BBQ & Grill, which features the "22 Bar" in honor of Clyde's jersey number. His brother James and his two sisters, Denise and Virginia, oversee the operations of these establishments. Drexler's mother, Eunice Scott, also works
at the downtown location, which has been a family business since it was established by his uncle in 1967. The restaurant has expanded to two locations, one downtown and another at Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Beyond his family ventures, Drexler has also ventured into real estate investments early in his NBA career. While he is mostly retired now, he still manages his Drexler Holdings LLC, which is based in downtown Houston. Through these endeavors, Drexler has demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to building a legacy beyond the basketball court.

Clyde Drexler's post-basketball career included several notable appearances in television and film. He made guest appearances on popular shows like Married... with Children, Arliss, and The Sentinel. Additionally, he had a cameo role in the basketball movie Like Mike 2: Streetball in 2006.
Drexler also ventured into reality television, participating in the first season of the Spike TV show Pros vs. Joes in 2006. The show featured amateur contestants competing against professional athletes, with Drexler being part of the Green Team during the regular season and the Orange Team in the season finale.

In 2007, Drexler took on a new challenge by joining the fourth season of the American version of Dancing with the Stars. Paired with partner Elena Grinenko, he showcased his dancing skills but was eliminated in round five on April 17, 2007.
Another notable television appearance was on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice in April 2010. Drexler lent his expertise to the men's team "Rock Solid," assisting them in completing a task to create video advertisements for Right Guard.