Lamar Odom

Guide Note:

Lamar Odom is a professional Basketball Player who plays Power Forward for the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6'10" forward is renown for his ball handling skills and versatility. His size and speed has often been favorably compared to former NBA All-Star Scottie Pippen, but he has been unable to achieve the accomplishments that Pippen had. But he is still recognized as one of the elite players in the NBA, arguably the best player in the league who has not made an all-star team.

Fast Facts

1. Born: November 23, 1979
2. Birth Place: South Jamaica, Queens, New York
3. College: Rhode Island
4. Drafted: 4th overall, 1999
5. Member of Team USA: 2004
6. Part of 2004 trade for Shaquille O'Neal
7. Height: 6'10"
8. Weight: 230 lbs

Lamar Joseph Odom was born in Queens, New York on November 23, 1979. He attended high school at Christ the King Regional High School, then Redemption Christian Academy and finally St. Thomas Aquinas Prep. He first attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas but after after a scandal broke in regards to him receiving payments from alumni boosters, he transferred to the University of Rhode Island. He was forced to sit out one year due to the violation, but then played one year at the University leading the team to the Conference Championships in 1999.

With the fourth pick of the 1999 NBA Draft the Los Angeles Clippers selected Lamar Odom. In his first season, he was named to the 2000 NBA All-Rookie Team. In 2003, he was traded to the Miami Heat, then again in 2005 along with Caron Butler to the Los Angeles Lakers for All-Star Center Shaquille O'Neal.

• November 6, 1979: Born
• 1997: Took payments from UNLV boosters and transfers to University of Rhode Island
• 1999: Selected 4th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Draft
• 2000: Makes all-league rookie team in first season
• 2003: Signs with Miami Heat as free agent
• 2004: Traded to Los Angeles Lakers for Shaquille O'Neal