Former Maverick Lamar Odom is back in Texas, opening youth academy in Killeen, per report

It appears former Mavericks forward Lamar Odom’s short but eventful time in Dallas hasn’t spooked him out of returning to the Lone Star State.

In a recent report by KCEN TV in central Texas, Odom says that he plans to move to the city of Killeen full-time and wants to build a youth sports academy. Odom also plans to begin filming his new reality show, “Mayor of Killeen,” though he didn’t go so far as to announce an intention to actually run for mayor.

“I love it,” Odom told KCEN when asked why Killeen was his town of choice. “No offense to anyone, this is a Black city. So, me being a Black man, if I could have an imprint in that community, I’d be stupid and I’d be sinful not to do it.”

Mavericks

Odom was a two-time NBA champion with the LA Lakers and was the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2011 before he was traded to Dallas, where he played just 50 games before both on- and off-the-court issues forced his early exit. He averaged just 6.6 points per game in 2011-12 with the Mavs and was eventually dismissed from the team after a clash with then-owner Mark Cuban.

Ex-Mavericks power forward Lamar Odom (7) on the bench during a game against the Utah Jazz at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Saturday March 3, 2012. (Steve Pfost / The Dallas Morning News)

Odom also had a highly publicized battle with addiction and substance abuse and nearly died after an overdose in 2015.

The youth academy, which will focus on basketball, e-sports, and STEM programs to help kids interested in science, technology, engineering and math, will serve as a way to keep local youth off the streets, Odom says.

“I’ve done a lot of wrong in my life,” Odom said. “So through everything I’ve been through, why not start giving back in the city of Killeen?”

According to Odom, the academy will be open to students from all economic backgrounds. At a recent Killeen City Council meeting, Odom encouraged residents to back the project, citing the need for funding.

His “Mayor of Killeen” reality show will also be shot locally, Odom himself having plenty of experience in reality TV. As the former husband of Khloe Kardashian, Odom appeared for years on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and later “Khloe and Lamar,” the latter having taken place during his short stint with the Mavericks.

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