Age lamar odom is 46 years old as of October 15, 2026. The former NBA star was born on November 6, 1979, in Jamaica, Queens, New York City, United States. He will celebrate his 47th birthday on November 6, 2026.
Odom became famous for his versatile basketball skills, particularly during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won two NBA championships, earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, and represented the United States in international basketball competitions. His personal life has also attracted public attention through his marriage to Khloé Kardashian and his experiences after retiring from professional basketball.
Understanding his age provides a useful starting point for exploring his journey from a promising young player in New York to an NBA champion and a recognizable figure in popular culture.
Lamar Odom Biography: Quick Facts
The following table provides an overview of his background, basketball career, and family life.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lamar Joseph Odom |
| Known as | Lamar Odom |
| Date of birth | November 6, 1979 |
| Age in October 2026 | 46 years |
| Birthplace | Jamaica, Queens, New York City, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Former professional basketball player |
| Height | 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm) |
| Main playing positions | Power forward and small forward |
| College | University of Rhode Island |
| NBA draft | 1999 |
| Draft team | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Most famous team | Los Angeles Lakers |
| NBA championships | Two, in 2009 and 2010 |
| Major individual award | NBA Sixth Man of the Year, 2011 |
| Olympic achievement | Gold medal in 2008 |
| Former spouse | Khloé Kardashian |
| Children | Destiny Odom and Lamar Odom Jr.; he also had a son, Jayden, who died in infancy |
| Current basketball status | Retired from professional basketball |
The NBA and Team USA provide official records of Odom’s birth date, physical profile, professional career, and international basketball achievements.
When Is Lamar Odom’s Birthday?
Lamar Odom celebrates his birthday on November 6 every year. His birth year is 1979, which makes him part of a generation of basketball players who entered the NBA near the end of the 1990s.
His November birthday is useful for calculating his age accurately. As of October 15, 2026, he is 46 because his birthday has not yet occurred this year.
His age at different milestones helps illustrate his career timeline:
- 1999: He entered the NBA at age 19.
- 2004: He joined the Los Angeles Lakers at age 24.
- 2009: He won his first NBA championship at age 29.
- 2010: He won his second NBA championship at age 30.
- 2011: He received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award at age 31.
- 2014: He made his final professional playing appearances at approximately age 34.
These milestones show how quickly he established himself in professional basketball and how much he accomplished before his mid-30s.
Where Was Lamar Odom Born?
Lamar Odom was born in Jamaica, a neighborhood in Queens, New York City. Growing up in New York exposed him to a competitive basketball environment where talented young players often developed their skills through school teams, local courts, and organized competitions.
Basketball eventually became the central focus of his professional life. His physical size, coordination, and ability to handle the ball helped distinguish him from players who relied mainly on scoring near the basket.
Odom’s New York background is an important part of his story because it connects his early development to the competitive culture of American basketball.
Lamar Odom’s Childhood and Early Life
Odom experienced significant difficulties during childhood. His mother, Cathy Mercer, died of cancer when he was 12 years old. His father struggled with substance misuse, and Odom was largely raised by his grandmother, Mildred Mercer.
These experiences shaped an early life that required him to navigate family loss while continuing to develop his athletic ability. His grandmother played an important role in providing support during his formative years.
Basketball offered a structured activity through which he could develop discipline, confidence, and a sense of direction. His talent eventually earned him national recognition as a high school player.
His early experiences also provide context for understanding why his life story extends beyond statistics and championship rings. Like many professional athletes, Odom faced personal challenges alongside the demands of building a career.
Education and College Basketball Career
Odom attended several schools before becoming a nationally recognized basketball prospect. He ultimately played college basketball at the University of Rhode Island during the 1998–99 season.
His college career was brief, but he demonstrated the combination of size, passing ability, rebounding, and ball handling that attracted professional scouts. Rather than playing like a traditional power forward who stayed near the basket, he could help organize the offense and create opportunities for teammates.
His performance at Rhode Island strengthened his professional prospects. The Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.
That selection marked the transition from a promising college athlete to a professional basketball player competing against the best players in the world.
Lamar Odom’s NBA Career
Odom entered the NBA in 1999 with the Los Angeles Clippers. His early seasons showed that he could contribute in several areas rather than depending on one skill.
During his professional career, he played for four NBA franchises:
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Miami Heat
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Dallas Mavericks
He later returned to the Clippers before making a brief appearance in professional basketball in Spain.
Odom played as both a small forward and a power forward. His versatility allowed coaches to use him in different lineups, whether the team needed rebounding, ball movement, defensive coverage, or additional scoring.
According to Basketball-Reference’s career records, he played 961 regular-season NBA games and averaged 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. These numbers reflect his ability to contribute across several categories.
Although his career included difficult periods, his years in Los Angeles remain the defining chapter of his basketball legacy.
His Championship Years With the Los Angeles Lakers
Odom joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004, becoming part of a team that would eventually compete for multiple championships.
Playing alongside Kobe Bryant and other talented teammates, he developed into an important contributor. His ability to rebound, pass, defend, and score gave the Lakers flexibility in their offensive and defensive systems.
The Lakers won consecutive NBA championships in 2009 and 2010. Odom played a valuable supporting role in both title runs.
His contribution was particularly important because championship teams require more than one leading scorer. Rebounding, second-chance opportunities, defensive positioning, and ball movement can determine the outcome of close playoff games.
In 2011, Odom received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. The award recognized his impact as a player who frequently came off the bench while still making significant contributions to his team’s success.
For fans researching Lamar Odom’s age, these achievements demonstrate what he accomplished during his late 20s and early 30s.
Lamar Odom’s Height and Playing Style
Lamar Odom stands approximately 6 feet 10 inches tall, or 208 centimeters. His size gave him a natural advantage around the basket, but his skill set extended beyond traditional post play.
He could handle the ball, initiate offensive possessions, pass to teammates, and defend multiple positions. This versatility made him especially useful in lineups that needed a forward capable of performing several jobs.
His major basketball strengths included:
- Rebounding: He used his height and positioning to collect missed shots.
- Passing: He could distribute the ball effectively for a forward.
- Ball handling: His coordination allowed him to move the ball up the court.
- Defensive versatility: He could guard different types of forwards and contribute in team defensive schemes.
- Transition play: He could help start fast breaks after securing rebounds.
These skills explain why his impact was not always fully reflected in scoring totals. His value often came from connecting different parts of the team’s offense.
His Olympic Basketball Career
Odom also represented the United States in international basketball. He played for Team USA at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
At the 2004 Olympics, the United States won the bronze medal. In 2010, Odom helped the United States win the FIBA World Championship, which is now known as the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
He was also part of the American team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His international experience demonstrated that his skills translated beyond the NBA.
Playing for the national team requires athletes to adapt to different coaching approaches, teammates, and international rules. Odom’s ability to contribute in these settings strengthened his reputation as a versatile forward.
His international career is an important part of his sporting achievements, alongside his two NBA titles.
Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian
Odom’s personal life became a major subject of entertainment news when he married television personality Khloé Kardashian in September 2009. Their relationship brought together professional basketball and the Kardashian family’s growing reality television presence.
The couple appeared together on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and later starred in their own reality series, Khloé & Lamar.
Their marriage attracted significant media attention, but the relationship eventually encountered serious difficulties. Kardashian filed for divorce in 2013. The divorce was later finalized in 2016, following a period in which Odom experienced a life-threatening medical crisis.
Their relationship remains a frequently searched part of his biography. However, it is important to distinguish confirmed events from speculation about their private lives.
Odom’s public identity has included both his athletic accomplishments and his relationship with Kardashian, but neither aspect alone captures the full story of his life.
Lamar Odom’s Children and Family
Family has been an important part of Odom’s life. He has two surviving children, Destiny Odom and Lamar Odom Jr., from his relationship with Liza Morales. He also had a son, Jayden, who died as an infant in 2006.
Odom has spoken publicly about his family and the importance of his children. His experiences as a father have also appeared in interviews and accounts of his personal life.
When writing about celebrity families, accuracy and sensitivity are essential. Family relationships can change, and details about private individuals should not be inferred from social media speculation.
A factual biography can acknowledge Odom’s children and family history without making unsupported claims about their current relationships or personal circumstances.
Personal Challenges and Recovery
Odom’s life has included serious personal and health challenges. In October 2015, he was hospitalized after being found unresponsive at a Nevada brothel. The incident received extensive media coverage, and he later discussed the experience publicly.
His recovery involved a lengthy period of medical care and rehabilitation. The episode became a major turning point in his life and brought increased attention to his struggles with substance misuse.
It is important to approach this subject with care. Addiction and recovery are complex, and a person’s health history should not be reduced to sensational headlines.
Odom has discussed his efforts to move forward, and his story has been featured in interviews and documentaries. For readers, the key takeaway is that his life after basketball has involved challenges that cannot be measured by sporting statistics.
Lamar Odom’s Life After Professional Basketball
After his final professional basketball appearances in 2014, Odom remained a recognizable public figure. He participated in entertainment projects, interviews, and television appearances that explored his life beyond the NBA.
His story has continued to attract interest because it combines athletic success, celebrity relationships, personal setbacks, and attempts at recovery.
In 2026, Biography.com covered his later life in connection with the documentary Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom. The documentary revisits his near-fatal 2015 medical crisis and his experiences afterward.
Readers seeking the latest information about his personal circumstances should consult recent interviews and reputable reporting rather than relying on outdated celebrity profiles.
Lamar Odom’s Achievements and Legacy
Odom’s career produced several notable accomplishments. His legacy rests on both team success and his ability to contribute in different areas of basketball.
| Achievement | Year or period | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| NBA Draft | 1999 | Selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Clippers |
| NBA All-Rookie First Team | 2000 | Recognized among the league’s leading first-year players |
| Olympic bronze medal | 2004 | Represented the United States in Athens |
| NBA championship | 2009 | Won his first title with the Lakers |
| NBA championship | 2010 | Won his second consecutive title |
| Olympic gold medal | 2008 | Helped the United States win in Beijing |
| FIBA World Championship | 2010 | Helped Team USA win the international title |
| NBA Sixth Man of the Year | 2011 | Recognized for his impact as a reserve player |
His career demonstrates the importance of versatility in modern basketball. He could score, rebound, pass, and defend, allowing coaches to use him in a variety of situations.
Beyond the court, his public story has also highlighted the challenges that can follow fame and athletic success. His legacy therefore includes both his accomplishments as a basketball player and the personal experiences he has discussed publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lamar Odom
1. How old is Lamar Odom in 2026?
Lamar Odom is 46 years old as of October 15, 2026. He was born on November 6, 1979, and will turn 47 in November 2026.
2. What is Lamar Odom’s date of birth?
Lamar Odom was born on November 6, 1979, in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. His birth date is listed in his official NBA and Team USA profiles.
3. How tall is Lamar Odom?
Lamar Odom is approximately 6 feet 10 inches tall, equivalent to 208 centimeters. His height and ball-handling skills helped him succeed as a versatile forward.
4. How many NBA championships did Lamar Odom win?
Odom won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, in 2009 and 2010. He also won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2011.
5. Was Lamar Odom married to Khloé Kardashian?
Yes. Lamar Odom married Khloé Kardashian in September 2009. Kardashian filed for divorce in 2013, and their divorce was finalized in 2016.
6. What is Lamar Odom doing now?
Odom has remained involved in public appearances, interviews, and entertainment projects after retiring from professional basketball. For current developments, consult recent reporting and verified interviews.
Conclusion
Lamar Odom is 46 years old as of October 15, 2026, and will turn 47 on November 6. His journey from Queens, New York, to NBA championships and international basketball success makes him a notable figure in American sports history.
His two titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, Sixth Man of the Year award, and international achievements established his reputation as a versatile player. His experiences away from basketball have also shaped public interest in his life.
For readers who want to explore his story further, the NBA and Team USA offer reliable career records, while reputable biographical reporting provides additional context about his life after retirement.
