Report: Lamar Odom on life support, has improved slightly
Lamar Odom remains on life support, but his condition has improved slightly, according to ESPN.
ESPN reports Odom was comatose as of Thursday, but that people close to the former NBA player are hopeful that he has not suffered significant damage to his brain.
Odom, 35, was found unconscious on Tuesday afternoon at a Nevada brothel and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. The Nye County (Nev.) Sheriff’s office confirmed reports Wednesday that Odom had been using cocaine and “sexual performance enhancers” during a multi-day stay at the Love Ranch in Crystal, Nev.
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Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of Odom’s visit. A sample of Odom’s blood is being processed, which could take several weeks, according to police.
Odom’s childhood friend Daniel Artest, the brother of Lakers forward Metta World Peace (neé Ron Artest), tweeted that Odom opened his eyes and was able to squeeze the hand of estranged wife KhloeKardashian, who has been with him in the hospital. It is not clear when in the past 24 hours these events might have happened. Artestcalled Odom’s condition “critical but stable.”
TMZ reported Odom’s heart function had improved as of Friday morning.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported late Wednesday night that Odom is “not out of the woods yet,” but had made small improvements.
• SI VAULT: The odyssey of Lamar Odom by Lee Jenkins (03.23.09)
Odom began his career in 1999 with the Los Angeles Clippers, before moving on to play with the Heat, Lakers and Mavericks. He won two titles as a member of the Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant in 2009 and 2010.
Current and former NBA players have been among many offering their support and wishes on Odom’s behalf.
Odom's aunt and godmother, JaNean Mercer, issued a statement Friday through a publicist. The statement read, in part, “No words can express the overwhelming gratitude we feel for the outpouring of support from around the world.”
- Jeremy Woo
