Lamar Odom Arrested In Las Vegas For DUI

Former NBA star Lamar Odom, once celebrated for his prowess on the basketball court, found himself back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after being arrested in Las Vegas on January 17, 2026. According to Las Vegas Justice Court records, Odom was taken into custody for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or a controlled or prohibited substance. The charge, classified as a misdemeanor and a first offense, was just the beginning of a series of legal troubles he faces following the incident.

Odom, 46, was arrested by the Nevada Highway Patrol early Saturday morning, as confirmed by multiple outlets including KSNV and TMZ. The arrest took place in Clark County, though the exact location wasn’t immediately disclosed. After being booked at the Clark County Detention Center, records showed that Odom was no longer in custody by Saturday evening. The Nevada Highway Patrol, a division of the Nevada State Police, provided a brief statement to the media. Trooper Shawn Haggstrom said in a text message, “The Nevada Highway Patrol a division of the Nevada State Police, arrested Lamar Odom for speed and suspected impaired driving Saturday morning. This is an active and ongoing investigation, further information is not available at this time.”

In addition to the DUI charge, Odom was cited for driving at least 41 miles per hour over the posted speed limit—a basic speeding violation that carries its own legal weight. He was also charged with failing to properly maintain his travel lane or making an improper lane change, further compounding the seriousness of the situation. According to court records, a status check for these new charges is scheduled for March 17, 2026, giving Odom some time to prepare his defense and potentially seek further counseling or rehabilitation.

For longtime followers of Odom’s journey, this latest arrest is a troubling echo of past struggles. Odom’s history with substance abuse and legal troubles is well documented. His first DUI arrest dates back to 2013, when he was pulled over in Los Angeles. That same year, his high-profile marriage to reality television star Khloé Kardashian came to an end, a split that was widely covered in the media and, for many, seemed intertwined with Odom’s personal battles.

Perhaps the most harrowing chapter in Odom’s life came in 2015, when he nearly died from a drug overdose at a brothel in Nye County, Nevada. The incident, which made national headlines, unfolded at the Love Ranch, where Odom was found unconscious and rushed to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas. According to a 2025 blog post from the Harmony Place rehab in Los Angeles, Odom suffered twelve seizures and six strokes, and his heart stopped twice during his hospitalization. The severity of the episode was underscored by the presence of Kardashian, who rushed to his side and played a significant role in his initial recovery.

Odom’s journey to sobriety has been anything but straightforward. Despite relapsing in 2016, he has since spoken openly about his commitment to overcoming addiction. In recent years, Odom has even turned his experiences into a platform for helping others, owning several rehabilitation centers and offering assistance to public figures such as Bam Margera. As TMZ reported, Odom “committed himself to sobriety in recent years ... and even offered help to others struggling with addiction, like Bam Margera, via several rehabilitation centers he owns.”

The former NBA star’s career, spanning 14 seasons, is a testament to both his talent and resilience. Odom played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Dallas Mavericks, earning accolades and respect on the court. His time with the Lakers, in particular, saw him contribute to championship teams and cement his legacy as a versatile and gifted player. Off the court, however, Odom’s life has been marked by a series of personal and legal challenges, many of which have unfolded in the public eye.

Odom’s troubles date back even further, to his days as a standout high school basketball player in Queens, New York, and later Connecticut. His recruitment by UNLV in 1997 was marred by controversy when the NCAA questioned his unusually high ACT score, suspecting that someone else had taken his college entrance exam for him. The fallout was swift and severe: Odom’s scholarship offer was revoked, and he was later arrested for soliciting prostitution in downtown Las Vegas that same year. The NCAA investigation revealed that a local booster, dentist David Chapman, had given Odom $5,600—a violation cited as an improper recruiting inducement. The repercussions were far-reaching, resulting in UNLV being placed on four years of probation and the eventual dismissal of then-coach Bill Bayno.

Despite these early setbacks, Odom found a second chance at the University of Rhode Island under coach Jim Harrick, who had previously led UCLA to a national championship. Odom’s time at Rhode Island paved the way for his NBA career, but the specter of past mistakes and ongoing struggles with addiction continued to loom large.

The latest arrest has reignited public interest in Odom’s tumultuous life story, which has been chronicled in documentaries such as "TMZ Presents: Lamar Odom: Sex, Drugs, & Kardashians." The documentary, now available to stream on YouTube, delves into the highs and lows of Odom’s life, offering a candid look at his battles and his ongoing fight for redemption.

As legal proceedings move forward, many are left wondering what the future holds for Odom. The scheduled status check in March will likely provide more clarity on the legal consequences he faces. In the meantime, Odom’s arrest serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges that can persist even after years of apparent recovery. His story, filled with both triumph and tragedy, continues to unfold in the public eye—offering lessons about resilience, the complexity of addiction, and the long road to personal redemption.

For now, all eyes remain on Las Vegas and the next chapter in Lamar Odom’s ongoing journey, as both fans and critics alike hope for a resolution that prioritizes accountability, support, and, above all, lasting recovery.