Date of Birth: November 6, 1979
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Biography
Lamar Joseph Odom is a retired American professional basketball player who is best known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on November 6, 1979, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York, Odom had a challenging childhood marked by the death of his mother due to colon cancer when he was only 12 years old, and his father’s addiction to heroin. Raised by his grandmother, he found solace and purpose in basketball. Odom attended Christ The King Regional High School and later transferred to Redemption Christian Academy and St. Thomas Aquinas High School. His exceptional performance on the court earned him a scholarship to the University of Rhode Island, where he played for one season before declaring for the NBA Draft. Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the fourth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, Odom made an immediate impact in the league. His versatility, ability to handle the ball, and play multiple positions made him a valuable asset. After spending four seasons with the Clippers, he played for the Miami Heat for one season before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. It was with the Lakers that Odom achieved his greatest success, winning two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010. He was also named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2011. Off the court, Odom faced several personal challenges, including struggles with substance abuse and a highly publicized marriage to Khloé Kardashian. Despite these difficulties, he has made efforts to turn his life around, including participating in rehabilitation programs and sharing his story to help others.
5 Interesting Facts about Lamar Odom
1. Lamar Odom played a key role in the Los Angeles Lakers’ back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.
2. He was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2011.
3. Odom starred in the reality TV show “Khloé & Lamar” with his then-wife Khloé Kardashian.
4. He survived a near-fatal overdose in 2015, which led to a coma and multiple strokes.
5. Odom released a memoir titled “Darkness to Light” in 2019, detailing his life and struggles with addiction.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lamar Odom
1. “God gave me my talent, but I had to work hard to get where I am now.”
2. “I just want to be remembered as someone who was a good person.”
3. “My story is a cautionary tale, but it’s also one of redemption.”
4. “Basketball has always been my sanctuary.”
5. “I’ve been through some of the darkest places, but I’ve also seen the light.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At his peak, Lamar Odom’s net worth was estimated to be around $30 million.
Children
Lamar Odom has three children: Destiny Odom, born in 1998; Lamar Odom Jr., born in 2002; and Jayden Odom, who tragically passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 2006.
Relevant Links
1. [Lamar Odom’s NBA Profile](https://www.nba.com/player/1032/lamar-odom
2. [Lamar Odom’s Biography on ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/617/lamar-odom
3. [Lamar Odom’s Official Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/lamarodom/
5. [Lamar Odom’s Reality Show “Khloé & Lamar” on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1845889/