Former Basketball Player Lamar Odom’s Grandparents Played a Defining Role in His Life and Basketball Journey

Personal loss and strong family roots helped define Odom’s resilience and purpose.

January 26, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on January 26, 2026

The influence of Lamar Odom’s grandparents helped shape his career and personal resilience.

Lamar Joseph Odom built a memorable and multifaceted career in professional basketball through talent, versatility, and resilience.

Born on November 6, 1979, in Queens, New York, Odom rose to national prominence as a high school star, earning Parade Player of the Year honors in 1997.

He carried that momentum into college basketball at the University of Rhode Island, where he led the Rams to an Atlantic 10 championship during his lone season and earned conference accolades before declaring for the NBA Draft.

The Los Angeles Clippers selected Odom fourth overall in the 1999 NBA Draft, and he quickly made an impact, earning NBA All-Rookie Team honors.

His career reached its peak after joining the Los Angeles Lakers, where his versatility as a forward helped fuel championship runs in 2009 and 2010.

In 2011, Odom earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors, becoming the first Laker to receive the award.

He also represented the United States internationally, winning Olympic bronze in 2004 and FIBA World Cup gold in 2010.

Despite later career struggles and personal challenges, Odom’s on-court achievements remain significant.

Lamar Odom’s Grandparents Remain Central to His Story On and Off the Basketball Court

Lamar Odom’s grandparents played a defining role in shaping his life, particularly during periods of profound loss.

After his mother, Cathy Mercer, died of colon cancer when he was just 12 years old, Odom’s maternal grandmother, Mildred Mercer, stepped in and raised him.

Mildred worked as a nurse, raised five children, and later returned to school to earn her degree at age 56.

She provided structure, encouragement, and emotional stability during Odom’s formative years.

Odom has repeatedly credited her strength and optimism as a guiding force, even honoring her by wearing jersey number seven, which he called her lucky number, and writing her name on his sneakers.

Information about Odom’s maternal grandfather remains limited, as he rarely appears in public accounts of Odom’s upbringing.

On his father’s side, Odom’s paternal grandmother, Florence Odom, emerged publicly during some of his most difficult moments.

Florence spoke to the media during Odom’s 2015 hospitalization, expressing concern and unwavering faith in his recovery.

Years later, her struggles with senior care inspired Odom to launch senior living initiatives aimed at making quality care more accessible.

Through their presence, resilience, and influence, Lamar Odom’s grandparents left an enduring mark on both his life and his purpose beyond basketball.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Lamar Odom appeared on reality television during his marriage to Khloé Kardashian, including Keeping Up with the Kardashians and the spinoff series Khloé & Lamar.

• In October 2015, Odom was hospitalized in a comatose state after being found unconscious at a Nevada brothel, an incident that led him to seek long-term treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.

• Odom suffered a personal tragedy in 2006 when his infant son, Jayden, died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), an event that deeply affected him both emotionally and mentally.

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