LAMAR Odom won't pass up the chance to play in the country if the opportunity presents itself after his stint with Mighty Sports-Philippines in the 2019 Dubai International Basketball Tournament in February.
"I can see myself playing basketball here. I like that (Filipinos) love basketball," said the two-time NBA champion and former Sixth Man of the Year during his press conference on Friday at The Theatre in Solaire.
Sheryl Reyes, Odom's manager here in the Philippines, is also open to that possibility, whether as a PBA import or with San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).
"He's actually preparing for the Big3 Tournament, but for Alab Pilipinas or the PBA, we'll see if his schedule permits," she said.
Odom, 39, is happy to "restart" his basketball career here in the country after a near death experience in 2015, and with this new lease on life, he's just grateful for the opportunity to pick up the leather again.
"I was at death’s doorstep, so just the opportunity to play basketball is a win-win for me," he said.
Despite being at the tailend of his career, Odom is looking to show that he still has a lot left in his tank as he seeks to emulate Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao who continues to turn back the hands of time.
"It was inspirational to see an athlete at his age with the victory over a really good fighter. It really meant a lot to me to see an athlete that age perform the way he did," he said, with him hoping that his comeback story could turn to somewhat of an inspiration for other beleaguered athletes
"Everyone here knows my story, so again, to have the opportunity to play basketball is a blessing for me."
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