Newz Forum: BASKETBALL: Drexler highlights Hall of Fame inductees

Springfield, MA (Sports Network) - Former Portland Trail Blazers guard Clyde Drexler highlights the class of 2004 inductees for the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Drexler will be enshrined on Friday along with former coach Bill Sharman, the late Maurice Stokes, legendary women's basketball superstar Lynette Woodard, Phoenix Suns chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo and international star Drazen Dalipagic. Sharman was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1976.

Drexler, who also played for the Houston Rockets, was a 10-time NBA All- Star. He was selected as one of league's 50 greatest players, captured an NBA title with the Rockets in 1995 and also helped lead the Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992.

Nicknamed "Clyde the Glide," Drexler retired in 1998 after recording 22,195 points, 6,677 rebounds and 6,125 assists over 15 seasons. He was also a member of the original Dream Team that won the 1992 Olympic basketball gold medal.

Woodard was an Olympic gold medalist in 1984 and had stints with both Cleveland and Detroit in the WNBA. She was also the first woman to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Sharman earned titles in three professional leagues as a coach -- the ABL with the Cleveland Pipers in 1962, the ABA with the Utah Stars in 1971 and the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972. In addition, he captured four NBA titles as a player with the Celtics.

Stokes was the 1956 NBA Rookie of the Year. His career was cut short during his third season when he was paralyzed following a fall during a game.

Colangelo is a four-time NBA Executive of the Year and also played a key role in creating the WNBA.

Finally, Dalipagic was a three-time European Player of the Year.