5 NBA players who battled drug addiction featuring Charles Barkley, Lamar Odom, and more

The NBA is a hyper-competitive league filled with athletes who possess extraordinary physical skillsets. While some players have gone on to have Hall of Fame careers, others have dealt with serious issues such as drug addiction. A few of them were able to overcome it during their playing careers, but for a lot of them, it signaled an end to their NBA dreams and aspirations.

A few former NBA superstars have gone on record to discuss their battles with drug addiction through the years. Here, we'll take a look at some of the biggest drug addiction stories in league history.

#5 - Shawn Kemp

Detroit Tigers v Seattle Mariners

Shawn Kemp played in the NBA for fourteen seasons. Kemp was a highly successful player as he made six All-Star and three All-NBA teams during his career.

Kemp was an integral part of the 90s Seattle Supersonics. The franchise was highly consistent in the 90s as they had players like Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp and Eddie Johnson. The Supersonics won a franchise-record 64 league games in 1996 and even made their first NBA finals since 1979 that year. However, they came up short against Michael Jordan and his all-conquering Chicago Bulls.

Kemp, however, started battling weight problems after he was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1997. The media started questioning his weight issues and his mental drive for the game during this period. But this led Kemp into an ever deeper spiral. After getting traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2000, he finally announced that he was battling drug and alcohol addiction, bringing down curtains on what could have been an all-time great career.

#4 - Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom v Ojani Noa

Lamar Odom is a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award in 2011. Odom has become a great role-player for a lot of playoff teams. But Odom had his complications with drug addictions as well.

Lamar Odom was suspended for violating the league's drug policy in 2001, but he returned after five games. In 2013, Odom was arrested for driving under the influence and refused to submit a chemical test. He then pleaded guilty to the DUI and agreed to check himself into rehab. Odom's wife Khloe Kardashian filed for divorce later that year.

#3 - Len Bias

Len Bias never even got the chance to start his career. He was one of the hottest prospects in the 1986 draft and was picked second overall by the Boston Celtics. However, tragedy struck him before he even got to start his career.

This is arguably one of the most tragic stories in the history of the NBA. Bias died due to a cocaine overdose two days after the draft. Bias is known for his leaping abilities, play-making skills and overall finesse on the court. He was named the ACC Athlete of the Year and a two-time ACC Player of the Year.

#2 - David Thompson

David Thompson played for the Denver Nuggets and the Seattle SuperSonics. Thompson received four All-Star nods and two All-NBA First Team's during his tenure. Thompson was a mega-star in college for North Carolina State, leading to its first NCAA championship in 1974.

Thompson was one of the biggest stars in the league. He was Michael Jordan's idol when the latter was growing up. In the summer of 1974, he signed a record-breaking four million dollars over five years. However, his career took a downturn after that. Injuries and drug addiction led to his downfall.

#1 - Charles Barkley

American Century Championship - Round One

Charles Barkley played power forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets, averaging 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game over a 16-year career spanning the 80s and 90s.

Barkley has been vocal about his past addictions in life. He has since moved on and found success off the court as well. Barkley is the lead analyst on 'NBA on TNT'.

Barkley said the following in 2007 :

"It's not a problem. If you're a drug addict or an alcoholic, those are problems. I gamble for too much money. As long as I can continue to do it I don't think it's a problem. Do I think it's a bad habit? Yes, I think it's a bad habit. Am I going to continue to do it? Yes, I'm going to continue to do it.”