Lamar Odom Out To Resurrect Cage Career In The Philippines

Lamar Odom has gone through a lot in his life, including a life-threatening episode back in 2015. Regardless, all these past issues have not stopped him from playing basketball, and it looks like he will get another shot in 2019.

According to Manila Bulletin Sports Online, the 39-year-old has been given a new lease on life when he was signed to play for local team Mighty Sports Philippines. Odom will be one of the foreign talents on the squad set to compete at the Dubai International Basketball Championships slated for February.

Odom confirmed these plans on his Instagram account, stating that he will indeed suit up for the Philippines and wear his old number 7 jersey. He also said that the stint would be a great warm-up for him as he prepares for the “Big 3.”

In an exclusive interview with the paper, Odom said that he cannot wait to meet his teammates and the local fans.

“I am getting back to the game I love, I have not played in years but I feel very good I have been working out every day to get my strength and conditioning back and hopefully this tournament help me more for my come back,” Odom said in that exclusive interview.

The 6-foot-10 forward last suited up for the New York Knicks back in 2014, but did not appear in the season finale. He was eventually waived on July 11, 2014 and never made it back to the pros. This was a year before that unforgettable incident where he almost lost his life.

Odom did detail those events to TMZ, revealing he had 12 strokes and 6 heart attacks while in a comatose state. Having survived that life-threatening episode led doctors to call him a “walking miracle,” after he managed to somehow pull through.

Given what Odom went through, it will be interesting if he can still show some skills in competitive basketball. If so, it would be another miracle on his end as anyone coming back from a stroke would find it hard to survive the wear-and-tear that the game of basketball brings.

Odom’s agent in the Philippines, Sheryl Reyes, revealed that there could be more opportunities for his client if he performs well. That includes a possible stint in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) where teams are allowed to hire foreign players at a certain height.

Given his condition and his age, it may not be an easy road ahead for Odom. He will be up against younger local and foreign cagers, yet another challenge for the 15-year NBA veteran.