Lamar Odom is a former professional basketball player with a net worth of $30 million. Known for his versatility on the court, Odom played the forward position in the NBA, most notably with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.
Throughout his career, Odom earned an estimated $115 million in salary from his NBA contracts alone, with his highest-earning season being 2008-2009 when the Lakers paid him $14 million.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Lamar Joseph Odom was born on November 6, 1979, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York. Odom faced a challenging childhood, losing his mother to colon cancer when he was just 12 years old and being raised by his grandmother.
Despite these early hardships, Odom excelled in basketball, earning recognition as a star player in high school and being named Parade Player of the Year in 1997.
After a brief and tumultuous stint at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where his scholarship was revoked due to an arrest, Odom transferred to the University of Rhode Island for a single season before entering the 1999 NBA Draft. He was selected 4th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.
NBA Career and Success
Odom quickly made an impact in the NBA, earning All-Rookie First Team honors in 2000. He later played for the Miami Heat, and in 2004, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a deal for All-Star Shaquille O’Neal.
This trade proved to be highly successful, as Odom helped the Lakers win two championships in 2009 and 2010 alongside Kobe Bryant. Odom’s ability to play multiple positions made him an invaluable asset to the Lakers.
His career continued with stints at the Dallas Mavericks and LA Clippers, before playing a short time overseas in Spain with Laboral Kutxa Baskonia in 2014.
Olympic Achievements
Odom also represented the United States in international basketball, winning a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, and a gold medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
His success both in the NBA and on the international stage cemented his place as a top-tier player of his era.
Personal Life and Public Image
Off the court, Odom’s personal life gained significant attention, especially after his marriage to Khloé Kardashian in 2009. Their relationship was chronicled on the reality TV show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and later in their own series, Khloé & Lamar.
However, the marriage was fraught with challenges, including Odom’s battle with substance abuse, which led to his arrest for DUI in 2013. The couple filed for divorce, and their marriage was finalized in 2016.
In October 2015, Odom’s life took a dramatic turn when he was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel after suffering a drug overdose. He was hospitalized in critical condition, and his recovery was a long and difficult journey. Despite the setbacks, Odom made a remarkable recovery, later dedicating himself to helping others struggling with addiction through his Odom Wellness Treatment Centers.
In 2019, Odom briefly became engaged to Sabrina Parr, but the engagement ended in 2020.
Real Estate and Business Ventures
Lamar Odom has also made some notable real estate moves throughout his career. In 2003, he bought a $3 million mansion in Pinecrest, Florida. Though he attempted to sell it for several years, the house was eventually listed for $4.5 million.
In 2014, Odom and Kardashian sold their $5.5 million home in the Tarzana area of California, which was later purchased by actress Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory fame.
Odom’s business ventures also include his wellness brand, and he has invested in rehab centers in California to help those struggling with addiction, motivated by his own past experiences.
