The fourth overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, Lamar Odom launched a professional basketball career that spanned 14 years across four different franchises. Known for his versatility on the court, he secured back-to-back NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 before earning the league's Sixth Man of the Year award in 2011.
Early Development and Amateur Success
Born in 1979 in Queens, Odom navigated a difficult upbringing after his mother died when he was twelve. He attended Christ the King Regional High School before moving through several programs, eventually finding stability at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Connecticut. In 1997, he received the Parade Player of the Year honor. Despite initial plans to attend the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, he ultimately enrolled at the University of Rhode Island. There, he averaged 17.6 points per game during the 1998–99 season and clinched the Atlantic 10 tournament title with a last-second shot.
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Odom entered the NBA in 1999 with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he earned a spot on the 2000 All-Rookie First Team. His tenure in Los Angeles included two suspensions for violating the league's anti-drug policy. He moved to the Miami Heat for the 2003–04 season, joining a roster that featured Dwyane Wade. He later transitioned to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent seven seasons, reaching the pinnacle of his professional performance. Following a trade to the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, his career trajectory shifted, leading to a brief return to the Clippers and a short stint playing in Spain in 2014.
International Competition and Media Presence
Beyond club play, Odom represented the United States on the international stage. He contributed to a bronze medal performance at the 2004 Olympics and earned a gold medal during the 2010 FIBA World Championship. His profile expanded beyond athletics through his marriage to Khloé Kardashian from 2009 to 2016, which included appearances on reality television programs such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians and the spin-off Khloé & Lamar. In 2015, he faced significant health challenges following a public hospitalization in Nevada.
Fast facts
- Born: 1979, Queens
- Drafted: 1999, fourth overall pick
- NBA championships: 2009, 2010
- Sixth Man of the Year: 2011
- High school honors: Parade Player of the Year, 1997
- Collegiate team: University of Rhode Island
- International gold: 2010 FIBA World Championship
- Citizenship: United States
Questions readers ask
Which NBA teams did Lamar Odom play for?
Over his 14-year career, he played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks.
Did Lamar Odom win any individual awards in the NBA?
Yes, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2000 and won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2011.
Achievements
- Educated at United States Army War College and University of Rhode Island
- Worked as basketball player
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