Two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom visited Grayson County High School on October 3rd to speak to students about the dangers of drugs and addiction. His visit was part of the county’s opioid abatement public education series, funded by opioid settlement money, aimed at raising awareness about the opioid crisis and substance abuse.
The event, held in the school’s gym, began with a discussion between Odom and Grayson County Attorney Jeremy Logsdon, who organized the program. Odom spoke candidly about his personal struggles and recovery journey. After the interview, students were given the opportunity to ask Odom questions, creating an interactive and impactful dialogue on addiction and overcoming adversity.
At the conclusion of the program, Odom took time to pose for photos and sign autographs for students and staff, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees.
Standing at 6’10”, Odom’s journey is well-known in the sports world, but his story goes beyond basketball. Growing up in Queens, New York, he lost his mother, Cathy Mercer, to colon cancer when he was just 12 years old. Despite early hardships, Odom’s natural talent on the basketball court made him one of the most sought-after high school recruits in the country.
After a stellar season at the University of Rhode Island, Odom declared for the NBA Draft and was selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in 1999. He played for multiple NBA teams, including the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won two championships in 2009 and 2010 and earned the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
Beyond basketball, Odom became a household name through his marriage to Khloé Kardashian and his appearances on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Khloé & Lamar. He furthered his media presence by competing on Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity Big Brother, and College Hill.
In recent years, Odom has turned his focus to addiction recovery and healthcare. In 2023, he founded the Odom Recovery Group, establishing a network of addiction treatment centers across California. That same year, he launched Odom Senior Care to create affordable senior living communities. Odom Senior Care later merged with ZNest to streamline the process of finding senior care options for families. Additionally, Odom founded Odom Dental Care—now called Oxy Dental in Lomita, California—to provide affordable dental services.
Odom’s story of resilience and dedication to helping others was both inspiring and educational, offering a powerful message to the Grayson County students about the importance of overcoming challenges and supporting one another through difficult times.