Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesLamar Odom's grandmother has spoken out as the former NBA star continues to fight for his life.
"I'm praying to God. I'm asking God to please let him survive," Odom's paternal grandmother, Florence, tells NBC News, adding that she first found out about his hospitalization on Wednesday, one day after he was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel.
The 35-year-old ex-husband of Khloe Kardashian is currently unconscious in a coma and is on a ventilator. Doctors are treating the situation as an accidental overdose, and a source inside the hospital says "drugs were found in his system."
"This really takes me over. Lamar is just 35. It's really shocked me," Florence says.
"Lamar is special," she adds. "He made himself a name all over the world. And he's just a cutie."
Lamar appears to have suffered an "ischemic stroke," which is caused by a blood clot preventing blood flow to the brain. This type of stroke is often associated with a cocaine overdose, among other drugs.
"He was doing crack cocaine all weekend and he choked on his mucous," the insider explains of Odom, who was discovered in his room at Bunny Love Ranch on Tuesday following days of partying. The hospital source adds that "brain damage is likely."
We're told Khloe, along with Lakers star Kobe Bryant, have not left Odom's bedside at the hospital.
Odom's former teammates (the athlete previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks) have taken to social media to send prayers to the former NBA star.
Additionally, Clippers player Chris Paul offered his support to Odom during a press conference in Shanghai.
"I wanted to extend love and support to one of our NBA brothers, Lamar Odom," Paul said. "We love you, man. Keep fighting.
"He's a member of this fraternity, our basketball brotherhood, and we love you and we're all there for you, man."