September 10, 2004

Springfield, MA. - One of the greatest players ever to put on a Portland Trail Blazers uniform, Clyde Drexler, was part of a six-person group enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame September 10 in Springfield, MA.

Drexler, Phoenix Suns Chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo, championship coach Bill Sharman, legendary women's basketball superstar Lynette Woodard, the late Maurice Stokes and dominant international guard Drazen Dalipagic comprised the Class of 2004.

Hall of Famer Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Drexler's childhood idol, presented him for induction.

"I'm dreaming tonight," Drexler said. "My childhood idol is presenting me for induction into the Hall of Fame. It doesn't get any better than this. I am dreaming. I don't want to be awakened."

The 6-foot-7 guard was drafted by the Trail Blazers in the first round (14th selection overall) of the 1983 NBA Draft as an early entry candidate after an outstanding career at the University of Houston. Drexler, along with NBA great Hakeem Olajuwon, led the Cougars to two straight NCAA Final Four appearances. As a junior, he averaged 15.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 53.6% from the floor.

In 11-plus seasons with the Trail Blazers, Drexler averaged 20.8ppg, 6.2rpg and 5.7apg in 867 games. His best season came in 1988-89 when he averaged a 27.2ppg and 7.9rpg (both career highs) while dishing out 5.8apg. Drexler led the Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992 and to the Western Conference Finals in 1991.

In 1,086 games over 15 seasons, Drexler averaged 20.4ppg, 6.1rpg and 5.6apg while shooting 47.2% from the field. He ended his illustrious NBA career joining Oscar Robertson and John Havlicek as the only players in NBA history to top 20,000 points, 6,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists. Drexler averaged 20.4ppg, 6.9rpg and 6.1apg in 145 NBA Playoff games.

He is the Trail Blazers all-time leader in games played, 867, minutes played, 29,526, points scored, 18,040, field goals made, 6,889, field goals attempted, 14,425, free throws made, 3,798, free throws attempted, 4,816, total rebounds, 5,339, offensive rebounds, 2,227, steals, 1,795, and personal fouls, 2,699. Drexler's number, 22, was retired by the Trail Blazers on March 6, 2001.

In 1994-95 Drexler was traded to the Houston Rockets where he was reunited with his college teammate, Olajuwon. He helped lead the Rockets to the 1994-95 NBA Championship and played another three seasons in Houston before retiring.

Drexler was selected as one of the Fifty Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. He was First Team All-NBA in 1992 and was selected Second Team All-NBA in 1988 and 1991. The ten-time NBA All-Star won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1992 and an NBA Championship in 1995 while a member of the Houston Rockets.

Click here to learn more about Clyde's career with the Trail Blazers.

Click here to learn more about the induction ceremony.

Click here to read a Blazers.com guest writer's view on Clyde's induction.