Former NBA star and two-time champion Lamar Odom has been taken into custody in Las Vegas, facing serious charges related to driving under the influence and dangerous speeding.
Details of the Las Vegas Arrest
The incident occurred on Saturday, 17 January 2026. Odom, now 46, was arrested by Las Vegas law enforcement on multiple charges. The most severe allegations include driving under the influence (DUI) and speeding more than 40 miles per hour above the legal limit.
Following his arrest, Odom was booked into the Clark County Detention Center, where he remains in custody. His first court appearance is scheduled for 17 March 2026, where he will answer to the charges formally.
A Troubled History with Substance Abuse
This latest incident did not come as a shock to those familiar with Odom's long-documented personal struggles. His former manager expressed no surprise at the arrest, pointing to Odom's history of drug and alcohol issues.
This history had professional consequences during his basketball career, leading to NBA suspensions in both 2001 and 2002. His substance abuse problems also played a significant role in the breakdown of his marriage to reality television personality Khloé Kardashian; the pair were married from 2009 until their divorce in 2016.
Odom's most severe health crisis came in 2015 when he suffered a near-fatal overdose at a Nevada brothel. The incident left him in a coma and on life support for an extended period. Despite this brush with death, Odom has recently been open about his continued recreational drug use, including references to using a substance known colloquially as "pink cocaine."
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Struggles
The arrest casts a renewed spotlight on the challenges Odom has faced since retiring from professional basketball. The combination of DUI and excessive speeding charges suggests a particularly reckless episode that could carry significant legal penalties under Nevada law.
His scheduled March court date will be the next major step in this legal process. The case serves as a stark reminder of the athlete's ongoing battle with addiction, a struggle that has persisted for over two decades through his career highs and personal lows.
