Fallen NBA star Lamar Odom’s post-Kardashian Philippine rebound

Four years ago, he was found comatose in a brothel from a near-fatal drug overdose. Now he’s playing for the Mighty Sports Philippines travelling team

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Lamar Odom in 2011. Photo: Los Angeles Times/TNS

Published: 9:00am, 15 Feb 2019Updated: 3:16pm, 15 Feb 2019

Lamar Odom, two-time NBA champion and former member of the Kardashian family, recently launched his latest comeback bid in the Philippines, where he won over diehard basketball fans, earned the praise of a prominent coach – and found time to launch a “vape pen” along the way.

The 39-year-old former Los Angeles Laker had a near-fatal drug overdose at a legal brothel in Nevada in 2015, suffering 12 strokes and six heart attacks. He calls himself a “walking miracle” for surviving the ordeal.

Odom with Khloe Kardashian in 2012. Photo: AFP

Last month, the ex-husband of Khloe Kardashian arrived in Manila to join the Mighty Sports Philippines, a semi-professional travelling team sponsored by a local sportswear company.

“Considering his age and what he’s been through, it’s amazing that he can even still do what he’s doing,” said Charles Tiu, 30, the team’s coach. “Everywhere we went fans were excited to see and meet him. People everywhere wanted photos. I’m really happy for him.”

Odom played for the team at last weekend’s Dubai International Basketball Championship, cheered on by a crowd of Filipinos – local media reports estimate that 450,000 live in the United Arab Emirates.