Former NBA player Lamar Odom has regained consciousness and is breathing on his own, ESPN reported on Friday.
The report said Odom has even spoken a few words and no longer requires a breathing tube. However, Odom still remains in critical condition.
Odom, 35, has been hospitalized in Las Vegas since Tuesday after he was found unconscious at a brothel named Love Ranch in Crystal, Nev., located about 80 miles outside of Las Vegas. He was placed on life support and was reportedly close to death.
In the 911 call released Wednesday, Love Ranch employees said Odom was unresponsive with a light red fluid and white matter oozing out of his nose after using cocaine and taking sexual performance supplements.
Former Rhode Island coach Jim Harrick – who became a father figure to Odom when he coached him in college – told USA Today that Odom is responding to communication from estranged wife Khloe Kardashian.
“She reached down and said ‘you know I love you’ and he kind of nodded,” Harrick said. “Three or four days after being scared to death and fearing the worst, that is a little hope, a little progress. She texted me that (information).”
Meanwhile, Odom’s aunt and godmother thanked the public for its support, saying they’re focused on his “complete healing.”
Publicist Alvina Alston issued a statement Friday on behalf of JaNean Mercer, Odom’s maternal aunt and godmother.
The statement said in part: “No words can express the overwhelming gratitude we feel for the outpouring of support from around the world.”
Alston said Mercer is the sister of Odom’s late mother, who helped raise him in New York, where Mercer still lives.
Odom played 14 NBA seasons and finished his career in 2013. He won championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010.