LAS VEGAS • Nevada police said on Wednesday that workers at the Nevada brothel where Lamar Odom was found unconscious reported in a 911 call that the former National Basketball Association (NBA) star had been using cocaine.

The 35-year-old remained hospitalised in Las Vegas, with his ex-wife Khloe Kardashian at his side, while an investigation continued into the allegations of drug use by the former Los Angeles Laker.

He was found unresponsive at the Love Ranch brothel and taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Centre by ambulance.

NBC News reported that sources said Odom had suffered brain damage and at least one stroke and is on a ventilator.

Police spokesman Sharon Wehrly said they had received a 911 call from two workers at the brothel who said a man was discovered unconscious and had been using cocaine.

"They also informed despatch that he had used up to 10 tabs of sexual performance enhancer supplements over the last three-day period," she said.

"He was unconscious but breathing. He had blood coming from his nose and his mouth, along with a white substance."

Odom's former Lakers team-mate Kobe Bryant, 37, was among those who visited the hospital. They won the 2009 and 2010 NBA titles together.

Lakers legend Magic Johnson tweeted: "What most people don't realise about Lamar Odom is that he's a better person than he is a basketball player. Every year Lamar Odom was with the Lakers, he would buy the rookies their first 2-3 custom suits, that's what type of guy he is."

Kardashian's half-sister, model Kendall Jenner, posted a tweet saying "please don't go" that was believed to refer to Odom.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE