When it comes to college basketball prodigies, the Houston Cougars are right up there. They’re a college powerhouse today, but their legacy runs deep through the NBA. From high-flying dunkers to all-time great big men, some of the league’s most iconic stars once wore red and white.
You’ve got champions, MVPs, Hall of Famers, and legends whose numbers hang in rafters across the country. Needless to say, some of Houston’s finest have left a lasting mark on the NBA.
Houston Cougars’ 5 Most Successful Players in NBA History
1) Hakeem Olajuwon
Let’s be honest — no Cougar has ever reached the heights of Hakeem Olajuwon. The man was a nightmare for defenders and a dream for coaches.
Drafted No. 1 overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, Olajuwon was chosen ahead of Michael Jordan, and it’s understandable why. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995, earning Finals MVP both times.
A 12-time All-Star, 1994 MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a six-time All-NBA First Team selection, Olajuwon was the complete package. His iconic “Dream Shake” is still studied today, and his No. 34 jersey is retired by both the Cougars and the Rockets — a testament to his greatness.
2) Elvin Hayes
Before Olajuwon, there was Elvin Hayes, Houston’s first big NBA star. Drafted No. 1 overall in 1968 by the San Diego Rockets, Hayes made an immediate impact, leading the league in scoring as a rookie. Over 16 seasons, he earned 12 All-Star nods and was a key part of the Washington Bullets’ 1978 championship run.
Hayes’ rebounding dominance was legendary, and he remains among the NBA’s all-time leaders in minutes and points. Houston retired his No. 44 jersey, sealing his legacy in gold for future basketball stars to look up to.
3) Clyde Drexler
Clyde “The Glide” Drexler was all about speed and slams. Drafted 14th overall in the 1983 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Drexler lit up the league with his fast-break dunks and smooth handles. He won an NBA title with the Rockets in 1995 and made 10 All-Star appearances.
Before all that, Drexler was a core part of the “Phi Slama Jama” crew at Houston alongside Olajuwon — a team that took college basketball by storm. Drexler’s NBA résumé and college flair made him a basketball superstar throughout the ’80s and ’90s.
4) Don Chaney
Don Chaney might not get the spotlight like the others, but his résumé is solid. Drafted 12th overall in 1968 by the Boston Celtics, Chaney played tough, unselfish basketball. He won two NBA championships and earned five second-team All-Defensive honors.
Chaney later became a head coach and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1991 with the Rockets.
5) Otis Birdsong
With over 2,800 points at Houston, Otis Birdsong was drafted No. 2 overall in 1977 and made four NBA All-Star appearances. He helped the Kansas City Kings reach the Western Conference Finals in 1981, but they fell short to the Rockets — a bitter pill, especially since Birdsong was injured during that playoff run.
Though he never won a title, Birdsong’s consistency and scoring made him one of the most underrated guards of the 1980s.
