Lamar Odom is a retired NBA player who spent 14 seasons in the league. He’s known as a versatile offensive threat with the ability to score, rebound and pass. Odom won back-to-back championships with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010.
As an athlete, Odom received a number of awards and acknowledgments, but some of his accomplishments were tainted by off-court issues.
In this Lamar Odom biography, we’re going to take a look at the life and career of one of the Lakers’ most prolific sixth men.
Lamar Odom Early Life
Lamar Odom was born on November 6, 1979, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York. Odom had a difficult childhood, with his father struggling with addiction and his mother passing away when he was just 12 years old.
Despite these challenges, Odom found solace in basketball and became a star player at Christ The King Regional High School in Queens. As a senior, he achieved the Parade Player of the Year award and earned USA Today All-USA First Team honors.
Lamar Odom College Career
After high school, Odom went to the University of Rhode Island where he played for one season. Lamar put up 17.6 per game and averaged just under 10 rebounds per game. He was lucky to be coached by some great names, including Jim Harrick, who helped him get his grades together so he could continue playing.
Odom ended up earning MVP in the Atlantic 10 tournament with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Temple to earn URI its first A-10 title ever.
Professional Career
Let’s outline Lamar Odom’s stats and history in the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers – 1999-2003
In the 1999 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Lamar Odom as the fourth overall pick. Odom spent the first four seasons of his career with the Clippers, where he emerged as one of the team’s best players. In his final season with the Clippers, Odom averaged a career-high 16 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
Lamar spent some time off the court due to violations of the NBA’s anti-drug policy and this was something that would plague his entire career. After his suspension, he only played 29 games and was ultimately up for free agency that season.
Miami Heat – 2003-2004
In the summer of 2003, Odom was traded to the Miami Heat, where he played for one season. Odom really shined in Miami averaging 17.1 points and a career-high 9.7 rebounds.
The Heat made the playoffs and beat out the New Orleans Hornets in a seven-game series but ultimately fell to the Indiana Pacers.
Despite a lot of success, Odom was traded in a package to the Lakers in a move that involved all-time great Shaquille O’Neal.
Los Angeles Lakers – 2004-2011
Odom had big shoes to fill but immediately became a fan favorite. Odom played a key role in the Lakers’ two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010, often serving as the team’s sixth man and providing a spark off the bench.
During his time with the Lakers, Odom played through a number of injuries and definitely went up and down in terms of performance. In the 2008-2009 season is when Odom moved into the sixth-man role.
That said, he performed well in this role and posted career highs in three-point percentage and overall FG percentage in the 2010-2011 season. Odom won the Sixth Man of the Year Award that season.
Dallas Mavericks – 2011-2012
In December of 2011, Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, but his time in Dallas was short-lived. Odom struggled to fit in with the Mavericks’ system, averaging just 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and he was eventually removed from the team in April of 2012.
Is Lamar Odom Retired?
Yes, Lamar Odom is officially retired. He played his last game in 2014 but struggled with addiction and personal issues through much of the latter half of his career.
Is Lamar Odom a Hall of Famer?
Odom’s contributions to the NBA and his impressive career statistics have sparked debates about whether or not he deserves a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Odom was a key player on two NBA championship teams, was a two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2000. He also had a career average of 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
The problem is off-the-court issues involving drug overdoses and run-ins with the law that may prevent him from making it into the HOF.
How Many Rings Does Lamar Odom Have?
Lamar earned his two rings with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010.
