Lamar Odom starts physical therapy, aunt says he’s ‘defying the odds’

Lamar Odom's condition continues to improve after the former NBA star was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel a week ago.

Odom, 35, has started physical therapy at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas and will soon try to walk, sources told the Los Angeles Daily News.

Jim Harrick, Odom's former college coach at Rhode Island, talked to CNN on Monday about Odom's progress.

"We're more hopeful now," Harrick said. "We've been on pins and needles for days."

Odom has been hospitalized since last Tuesday after he was found unconscious at a brothel named Love Ranch in Crystal, Nev., located about 80 miles outside of Las Vegas. He was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support, and was reportedly close to death.

Odom has been breathing on his own since Friday and no longer has a breathing tube, ESPN reported. He also has been conversing with family and friends.

"Lamar has always been blessed with a tenacious, fighting spirit, overcoming insurmountable obstacles to achieve the impossible," JaNean Mercer, Odom's maternal aunt and godmother, said in a statement Monday. "These past few days have been no different. ... (He is) defying the odds in his toughest battle to date."

According to the Daily News, Odom has experienced frequent fatigue and has received constant treatment on his lungs and kidneys.

In the 911 call released last week, Love Ranch employees said Odom was unresponsive with a light red fluid and white matter oozing out of his nose after using cocaine and taking sexual performance supplements.

Harrick said he's been in touch every day with Odom's estranged wife, reality-TV star Khloe Kardashian, who has been at his bedside.

Odom played 14 NBA seasons and finished his career in 2013. He won championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010.