Lamar Odom - Darkness to Light: A Memoir

Table of Contents

First, I would like to thank God for the opportunity to tell the story of my life. It has been an incredible journey filled with amazing people, as these pages will show. Thank you to one of the most loyal, trustworthy women to ever come into my life, the mother of my children, Liza Morales. You have been more than patient, forgiving, and understanding when it came to my wild ways. I didnt deserve your love, but you gave it to me nonetheless. My children Destiny Odom and Lamar Jr., whom I love unconditionally. They loved me despite my absence from their lives at times, and theres no love that I can give like the love I get from them.

I want to thank my mother, Cathy Mercer. Not a day goes by without me thinking about you. Each day I realize how much you gave me in such a short time. I wish you could see the man I am today. Your granddaughter, Destiny, looks more like you every day. I know youre in heaven holding Jaydens hand. My grandmother, your mother, Mildred Mercer, kept my spirit intact when you went away, and she will forever be a piece of my soul.

Thank you to Aunt JaNean, who is the last connection I have to my mother and grandmother.

There have been so many people who have helped shape my basketball experience over the last three decades, including Gary Charles, Jerry DeGregorio, Sonny Vaccaro, Jeff Schwartz, Rob Johnson, Tom Konchalski, and Jim Harrick.

Much love for the hundreds of teammates I got to call my brothers. Kobe Bryant, from whom I learned everything about competing and giving yourself to the game. I tried my best to keep that Mamba Mentality whenever we stepped on the floor together. You are my brother for life.

Pau Gasol, Dwyane Wade, Rasual Butler, Speedy Claxton, Ira Miller, Darius Miles, Quentin Richardson, Elton Brand, Ron Artest, and Tavorris Bell are some of the best brothers Ive ever had.

I was fortunate enough to have great teachers in Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, and Alvin Gentry. They not only taught me what it means to be a well-rounded player but also what it means to be a man. Thank you to Jeanie Buss for her kindness and compassion.

To Khlo Kardashian, the love of my life. I wish I could have been a better man. Thank you to the entire Kardashian family for embracing me and giving me an incredible kind of love. I will always be Lammy.

No man takes a journey by himself, and Ive had some great people to accompany me along the way: James Dollar Gregory, Lara Cake Manoukian, Greg Nunn, Joseph Odom, Curt Smith, George Boss Revas, Ian Dominic, Alley Cat, and Big John.

Thank you all for being part of my journey.

LAMAR ODOM is a two-time NBA champion, former Sixth Man of the Year, and thirteen-year NBA veteran. He was a regular cast member on E!s worldwide sensation Keeping Up with the Kardashians, the highest-rated reality show in history. He also starred in the popular spin-off Khlo & Lamar, which documented one of the most famous marriages in recent Hollywood memory. He calls Queens home but lives in Los Angeles.

CHRIS PALMER is a longtime sportswriter who covered the National Basketball Association for twenty years for ESPN The Magazine and all of ESPNs digital platforms. He is currently a contributor for ESPNs The Undefeated, Spectrum SportsNet, as well as various other outlets. Hes the author/contributor of six books, including Wide Open, the New York Times bestselling autobiography of Supercross champion Jeremy McGrath. He lives in Los Angeles.

My mother, Cathy Mercer, on her wedding day.

Mom and her sister JaNean, who looked out for me when Mom couldnt.

Wasnt I cute?

Surrounded by those I love best.

(Photos courtesy of JaNean Mercer)

Eighth grade graduation. (Courtesy of JaNean Mercer)

Here I am dunking in high school. Love those old Nikes Im wearing. (New York Daily News Archive/Contributor)

Liza and I in 2000. My Terrell Davis jersey fit her perfectly. (Courtesy of Liza Morales)

Threading the needle. I wasnt a Rhode Island Ram for long, but I was able to develop my game in my one playing year there. (Rocky Widner)

LJ knows whos king! (Courtesy of JaNean Mercer)

Destiny and I take a welldeserved nap. (Courtesy of Liza Morales)

Destiny and LJ with baby Jayden. (Courtesy of JaNean Mercer)

Shaking NBA Commissioner David Sterns hand during the 1999 Draft at the MCI Center in DC. (Nathaniel S. Butler)

Draft night with the family. Thats Grandma Mildred in the red sweater. (Courtesy of JaNean Mercer)

Soft touch at the 2000 NBA Rookie Challenge Game at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA. (Andrew D. Bernstein)

All love. I never had another teammate quite like Kobe Bryant. (Stephen Dunn)

Two kings from Queens. Ron Artest and me receiving our championship rings before the start of the 2010 home opener. (Gary Friedman)