Lamar Odom Makes Surprising Claim After Vegas DUI Arrest

Lamar Odom is taking steps to calm fans' fears after news of his recent DUI arrest in Las Vegas, Nevada, hit the internet.

In a new interview, Odom, who played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, publicly addressed his arrest, which also resulted in the Olympian being cited for two additional traffic violations.

Lamar Odom first sparked concern over his well-being nearly a decade ago when reports surfaced that the basketball player was found unconscious at a Las Vegas brothel.

Speaking with TMZ Sports on Tuesday, January 20, Odom took a moment to clear the air after his recent DUI arrest, insisting that he was not under the influence of alcohol or narcotics when he was locked up.

While the 6'10" former athlete didn't specify what officers might've found in his system at the time of his arrest, the former "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star accepted full accountability for his mishap.

"I am learning from this experience and remain committed to my continued growth," he said. "I've worked hard to rebuild my life, and taking responsibility is an essential part of that process."

Continuing, Odom said that he was "cooperating fully, staying honest, and focused on moving forward with integrity" before thanking those who have shown him support.

For those who missed the news, Odom was apprehended by Las Vegas police in the early hours of January 17, according to The Blast.

Per official records, in addition to being charged with DUI, Odom was issued citations for two additional traffic violations—driving more than 41 MPH over the limit and improper lane change.

It's also not the first time the "Khloé & Lamar" star has been in trouble with the law, as he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in 2013.

At the time, a California Highway Patrol officer claimed they observed Odom's luxury vehicle traveling in a "serpentine manner" before initiating a traffic stop. The officer then stated Odom showed "objective signs of intoxication and was unable to perform field sobriety tests as explained and demonstrated."

Odom's arrest sparked genuine concern among fans, who recalled the athlete's frightening encounter with alcohol and drugs in 2015.

The Blast reported on Odom's wild night at a Vegas brothel that left him unconscious and needing to be transported to Sunrise Hospital to be treated for an "overdose."

A source inside the facility shared that the University of Rhode Island alum needed a ventilator to breathe due to the "loss of oxygen but also possible stroke," later sharing that Odom had likely suffered brain damage from the encounter.

"He was doing crack cocaine all weekend and he choked on his mucous. They’re now having to fix all the damage it has done," the source shared.

In a 2019 interview with PEOPLE promoting his book, "Darkness to Light," Odom spoke candidly about his near-fatal encounter at the Love Ranch brothel, admitting to having "horrible memory loss."

In his book, however, he detailed what led up to the moment, saying he spent many days surrounded by "beautiful women and a mound of drugs."

"On Tuesday morning, I lay on the floor in my room at the Ranch, dying," Odom continued. "My body was convulsing. The women who kept me company screamed and called 911. I was taken to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. There was an unholy concoction of cocaine, cognac and cannabis coursing through my veins."

Odom divulged further details regarding the terrifying experience, stating his "heart stopped twice" before revealing he had "twelve seizures and six strokes."

"My lungs collapsed and my kidneys ruptured. I was on life support. Everyone I’d ever loved was looking at me through bleary eyes," he added. "Waking up [on Oct. 16], I was pulling the tubes out of my throat. And I was trying to talk but I couldn’t get the words out. That was the scariest part. And not being able to walk. I’m a big athlete you know?"

Odom then turned his attention to his ex-wife, reality star Khloé Kardashian, thanking her for sticking by his side even though they were separated.

"Khloé never left my side," he wrote. "She didn’t shower for days. Kim’s resiliency was incredible too. They put chairs together for her to sleep across at night."

His statements echo those of Khloé, who admitted on a previous episode of their Hulu series, "The Kardashians," that she was "there through it all."