Ex-NBA star Odom found unconscious at brothel

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Lamar Odom, the former NBA star and reality TV personality embraced by teammates and fans alike for his humble approach to fame, was hospitalized Wednesday, his estranged wife Khloe Kardashian by his side, after being found unresponsive after spending four days in a Nevada brothel.

Hospital officials provided no immediate word on the condition of the 35-year-old former Los Angeles Laker and member-by-marriage of the Kardashian clan, who was found facedown at the Love Ranch Tuesday afternoon, according to brothel owner Dennis Hof.

Odom started “throwing up all kinds of stuff” when the 911 operator told them to turn him on his side, Hof said.

Hof said Odom arrived alone Saturday and “spent time socializing with some of my girls,” but wasn’t seen taking any illegal drugs. “He was polite and reserved, and he told multiple employees that he was there to get some privacy and spend some time relaxing,” Hof’s statement said.

“He largely kept to himself, and at no time did he engage in any drug use in the presence of anyone in the house. He did drink alcohol from our bar, and was taking some herbal sexual enhancement capsules. At his request, he spent Monday evening alone in his suite,” the statement said.

“It’s incredibly sad,” Hof told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “He just wanted to get away, have a good time and relax.”

Odom emerged as one of the most promising basketball talents of his generation after a difficult childhood in Queens, where his mother died of cancer when he was 12 and his father was addicted to heroin.