Lamar Odom has reportedly entered a rehabilitation center amidst reports of rampant cocaine abuse. Odom, a 33-year-old American professional basketball forward who last played with the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has entered the rehab facility after being booked on a DUI charge.
The NBA free agent and star of E!’s “Khloe & Lamar” show was arrested Friday, August 30th at 3:54 a.m. after being stopped by California Highway Patrol on U.S. Route 101. Highway Patrol reported Odom showing “objective signs of intoxication” when they pulled him over for driving under the speed limit while swerving in and out of traffic.
Odom was unable to perform a field sobriety test and was taken to jail. He has not entered a plea and was released on $15,000 bond.
The troubled NBA star has a history of drug use. In 2001 he violated the NBA drug policy twice and later admitted to marijuana use in 2003. Odom said, “I just couldn’t control myself in L.A. … the lifestyle that I was living and the things I had access to.”
Odom’s father struggled with heroin addiction and the NBA star wondered if he was “fighting my father’s demons.”
Odom’s wife, Khloe Kardashian reportedly told Odom that if he didn’t go to rehab she would kick him out of their house in Tarzana, California. Although Kardashian claims she is “not made of steel” she is standing by her husband while he seeks treatment and will continue to help him work through his issues.
Before his arrest the L.A. Clippers and Lakers had both shown interest in signing the two-time NBA champion and former Sixth Man of the Year Award winner. As of now Odom remains unsigned.
