LAS VEGAS — Former NBA champion Lamar Odom pleaded not guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor charges including driving under the influence, speeding more than 41 mph over the limit and failure to maintain a travel lane, stemming from his January 17, 2026, arrest on Interstate 15 near Harry Reid International Airport.

Lamar Odom at a Los Angeles Clippers game in Los Angeles on Dec. 25, 2012.
Lamar Odom at a Los Angeles Clippers game in Los Angeles on Dec. 25, 2012.

Odom's attorney, Kevin Coburn, entered the plea on his behalf during an arraignment hearing at the Regional Justice Center before Pro Tem Justice of the Peace Bruce Nelson. Odom, 46, did not appear in court, with Coburn waiving the formal reading of the criminal complaint. The judge scheduled a bench trial — presided over by a judge without a jury — for July 7, 2026.

The charges follow Odom's early-morning traffic stop on I-15, where Nevada Highway Patrol troopers clocked him driving at speeds exceeding 105 mph, according to arrest reports and court documents. Officers reported the strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, and Odom allegedly failed field sobriety tests. He was taken into custody around 3 a.m. and booked into the Clark County Detention Center before posting bail and being released on his own recognizance.

The incident marks Odom's second DUI-related arrest in Las Vegas. He previously faced charges in 2013 after a separate incident, though that case resolved differently. Authorities noted no injuries occurred during the January stop, and Odom consented to a blood draw at the jail for chemical testing, though results have not been publicly detailed.

Odom, a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers (2009, 2010) and a former Sixth Man of the Year (2011), has publicly battled substance abuse issues for years. His 2015 near-fatal overdose in a Nevada brothel drew widespread attention and led to a high-profile recovery journey, including stints in rehabilitation and advocacy work. Following the January arrest, TMZ reported that Odom voluntarily entered and completed a rehabilitation program weeks later, seeking treatment amid renewed scrutiny.

The former forward, who also played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Miami Heat, retired from the NBA in 2014 after a 14-year career averaging 13.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. More recently, Odom has focused on business ventures, including promoting his Lumora Aquila spirits line at events in Las Vegas as recently as January 24, 2026.

Public reaction to the plea and upcoming trial has been mixed. Supporters on social media expressed hope for continued recovery, while critics pointed to patterns of behavior. Odom has not commented publicly on the charges since the arrest, and his legal team has declined to provide additional statements beyond the court proceedings.

The case highlights ongoing challenges for former athletes navigating post-career life, particularly with substance-related legal issues. Nevada law treats first-time DUI offenses as misdemeanors punishable by fines, license suspension and potential jail time, though priors or aggravating factors — such as extreme speed — can elevate penalties. Speeding 41 mph or more over the limit carries separate fines and points on a driving record.

As the July trial approaches, prosecutors will likely present evidence from the traffic stop, including dashcam footage, sobriety test results and blood analysis. Odom's defense could challenge probable cause for the stop, the administration of field tests or the reliability of chemical evidence. Bench trials often move faster than jury proceedings, potentially resolving the matter by late summer.

Odom's personal life has long intersected with high-profile headlines, including his marriage to Khloé Kardashian from 2009 to 2016 and subsequent publicized struggles. He has authored a memoir, "Darkness to Light," detailing his addiction battles and recovery efforts, and has spoken openly about mental health and sobriety in interviews.

The not-guilty plea keeps the case alive, with both sides preparing for arguments over the circumstances of the high-speed stop. Court observers note that misdemeanor DUI resolutions in Clark County often involve plea negotiations, potentially leading to reduced charges or diversion programs if certain conditions are met.

For now, Odom remains free pending trial, with the legal process underscoring his ongoing journey amid a career defined by athletic highs and personal lows.