Basketball superstar Lamar Odom was using cocaine shortly before he was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel, it has been reported.
It had previously been known that Odom, a two-time NBA championship winner, had been taking sexual performance enhancers – allegedly herbal versions of Viagra – but details have now emerged of a 911 call describing “a bloody nose and white stuff around his mouth”.
Odom remains on life support at a hospital in Las Vegas.
While drafted by the LA Clippers, Odom enjoyed his greatest success in the yellow and purple of their city rivals, the LA Lakers. While his playing time was limited by the presence of star forwards including Pau Gasol, his contributions off the bench earned him two Sixth Man Of The Year awards – becoming the first ever LA Laker to win the prize for best replacement – as well as a spot in the 2004 US Olympic squad.
The 35 year old, who played his college ball at the unlikely spot of University of Rhode Island, also spent periods with Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks, as well as a brief stint at Spanish club Laboral Kutxa. He is currently a free agent.
He achieved celebrity in gossip columns through a relationship with Khloe Kardashian. The reality TV show family were quick to bring cameras to his bedside last night as they held vigil.