Lamar Odom is hard in training at his alma mater, presumably for an imminent NBA return with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to TMZ.com.
Odom returned to the Rhode Island University campus earlier this week and is reportedly conducting daily workouts with famed athletic trainer Rob McClanaghan. TMZ adds that current URI assistant coach Preston Murphy played with Odom when both were on the Rhode Island team in 1998 and helped him set up the secluded workouts.
Meanwhile, several media outlets continue to report Odom's Clipper return seems such a done deal his soon-to-be teammates are already openly strategizing for it.
"Everyone who was here with the Clippers last season has always told me that Lamar was a good guy, a great locker room guy - funny, never complained - even with the struggles," said Jared Dudley, who came to the Clippers via trade during the summer. "His struggle was getting in shape and getting motivated."
TMZ has previously reported Odom met with Clipper coach Doc Rivers for more than two hours last week in a gathering that is thought to have finally alleviated management's trepidations about re-inking the wayward veteran.
The Clippers were thought to be the frontrunners to resign Odom going into the offseason, but quickly lost interest amid a summer where he was dogged by allegations and hardcore drug use and chronic infidelity in his marriage to reality TV star Khloe Kardashian.
But all that seems forgotten, or at least forgiven, now that the former Sixth Man of the Year Award winner appears back on track.
"I think it's great," said reserve forward Matt Barnes told reporters. "For one, as a friend who is wanting him to get his life back on track, I think that's important. But he's an intelligent big man who knows how to play the game. Hopefully he can get himself back in shape and be a great addition to our team.I knew Doc wanted him in the summer, so let's just hope. I think he'd be a welcome addition to our team."
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