Apr 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers Lamar Odom grabs a rebound in front of Memphis Grizzlies power forward Darrell Arthur (00) during 1st half action in game five of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the Staples Center. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Veteran NBA forward Lamar Odom has checked himself into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, People.com reported Wednesday.
“He realized he needs help,” a source told People.com.
The past few weeks have been a tumultuous time by all accounts for Odom.
According to multiple reports, the 33-year-old Odom was arrested early Friday morning on a charge of suspicion of driving under the influence.
A California Highway Patrol officer arrested Odom around 4 a.m. after seeing Odom’s car traveling erratically in a “serpentine manner,” ESPN reported, adding that the current free agent was staying at a hotel last week while friends were trying to get him help for a drug problem.
TMZ also reported Odom was missing for 72 hours after a fight with his wife, Khloe Kardashian. That report was not true, Odom’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, said on Sunday.
Former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Jordan Farmar told ESPN earlier this week that a handful of former teammates have tried to help Odom, but have not had any response.
“It sucks to hear,” Farmar said. “It’s unfortunate. A couple of us have reached out to him and haven’t heard back. That’s just a sign of him going through some tough times.”
Odom is currently a free agent after playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged 4.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 82 games last season.
He has spent 12 of his 14 seasons in Los Angeles and was suspended twice for drug violations while playing for the Clippers in 2001.
