Lamar Odom's college basketball coach, Jim Harrick, can't help but gush about his estranged wife Khloe Kardashian.
ADVERTISEMENT
Since Odom was hospitalized last Tuesday from an apparent drug overdose, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star has remained at his side. Although the couple filed for divorce, they are still legally husband and wife, so she's been responsible for his medical decisions.
During a Monday appearance on CNN's New Day, Harrick said Odom has made "a little bit of progress" and sweetly told Kardashian, "I love you," once he was able to breathe on his own. Odom, 35, just said "good morning" to Kardashian today before falling back asleep.
Harrick noted he's been in contact with Kardashian, 31, every day about Odom's condition.
"We're more hopeful now" that Odom will recover, Harrick told CNN. "We've been on pins and needles for days."
ADVERTISEMENT
Harrick attended Odom and Kardashian's wedding back in 2009 and has gotten to know Kardashian well over the years.
"I just come to fall in love with her," Harrick said of Kardashian. "She's a sweet, loving, lovely young girl. I think she's a rock. She's the best thing that ever happened [to Odom]."
However, the pair still filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences four years after tying the knot. The basketball coach admitted he wanted to "go over there" and "smack him" for letting Kardashian slip through his fingers when she's so incredible.
Over the last couple of years, Odom was charged with drunk driving and struggled with a cocaine addiction.
Odom needs to "get on the right path again," Harrick said, adding that Odom's life-threatening incident will hopefully serve as a "turning point" for the troubled athlete.
ADVERTISEMENT
Odom, who was "one of the most popular guys who ever played in the NBA," according to Harrick, was found unconscious at a brothel in Nevada last week following a binge of partying. Harrick mentioned how Odom received "prayers from everybody" to survive and recover.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski