Lamar Odom’s Confession on Drug Use During NBA Career

In a recent interview with basketball greats Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, Lamar Odom shared his surprising experiences with hard drugs during his time in the NBA.

Diving into a candid discussion on their podcast, Odom revealed that he never played games while under the influence, primarily due to the league’s stringent drug testing policies. However, he admitted that during the offseason, his habits were quite different.

“If you get caught sniffing cocaine, that suspension will be outrageous,” he noted during the conversation. Yet, he reflected that summer was a different story entirely.

“I had a great summer of cocaine,” Odom honestly stated.

Throughout their hour-long dialogue, the two-time NBA champion opened up about his struggles with addiction, frequently acknowledging his status as an addict. At one point, he simply said, “I liked drugs.”

Odom expressed regret, suggesting that his drug use likely cost him a spot in the Hall of Fame. He said, “I should be where you want me to be—In Fame. Do you feel what I’m saying? Out of straight talent.” He further emphasized, “I damaged it with drug abuse. 100 percent.”

He also reflected on his life experiences, including a near-death incident in 2015, which brought him significant challenges. Currently, he’s two years sober from cocaine but continues to use marijuana.

At the end of their conversation, Odom shared his desire to use his story as a means to support those grappling with substance abuse: “I probably came here to do something more than just play basketball. With my story and my platform, I can save people from this crazy disease that’s messing with America.”