Lamar Odom Quits Spanish Basketball Team — Back Injury Steals His Season – Hollywood Life

Lamar Odom Quits Spanish Basketball Team After Back Injury

He just can't catch a break. After a lackluster debut in the Euroleague and a back injury less than two weeks later, Lamar has reportedly decided to quit the team and head back to the United States. So what does the future hold for the former Mr. Khloe Kardashian? Ever since Lamar Odom got the uplifting news that he'd be playing professional basketball again in Spain, it has been a series of disappointments. And on March 15, he suffered the biggest letdown when a serious back injury reportedly forced the 34-year-old star to give up his spot with Baskonia (also known as Laboral Kutxa).

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Lamar Odom Quits Spanish Basketball Team
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Lamar Odom Quits Spanish Basketball Team

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“The tests carried out in New York by Lamar Odom’s trusted medical team, with the knowledge of the club, have shown that the player is suffering from lumbar radiculitis, which could keep him out of action for up to two months,” a Laboral Kutxa spokesperson said in a statement, according to Us Weekly. The player therefore terminates his current contractual relationship with the club. The north American pivot will complete his recovery in the United States.”

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Lumbar radiculitis is a painful spine injury that causes severe lower back pain. The contract Lamar had signed with Laboral Kutxa was for the rest of the season, and since the team only has four regular season games left, it makes sense that they and Lamar would part ways.

In total, Lamar played 22 minutes in two games, so it’s safe to say he didn’t achieve his Euroleague goals.

Lamar Odom: ‘Everything Happens For A Reason’

But despite the disappointment, Lamar appears to be keeping his head up. “This is something beyond my control,” Lamar said in a taped interview with a team rep. “There’s a difference between a part of your body that’s hurt and a part of your body that’s injured. It’s up to me as a responsible athlete to — if I’m injured — to take care of it. I think everything happens for a reason.”

“I’m very grateful for the understanding,” Lamar added. “Not only the people of the Baskonia basketball organization, but the people — who’ve shown an appreciation for me and not just a basketball player. It goes so far from beyond the basketball court. I would like to thank you for the continued support.”

He concluded with an extremely heartfelt message: “Now I have a home away from home all the time. There’s a place I will always look forward to come back to and I look forward to getting on the court as soon as possible.”

You gotta feel for Lamar, but the most important thing is that he seems to have his head back on straight. Hopefully he can keep his positive attitude and make a second comeback!

What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Let us know!

— Andrew Gruttadaro

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  3. Lamar Odom Sent Khloe Kardashian Roses On Valentine’s Day