LAS VEGAS (AP) — A spokeswoman for Lamar Odom’s aunt says the NBA star woke up and spoke three days after being found unconscious at a Nevada brothel.

Alvina Alston, publicist for JaNean Mercer, Odom’s maternal aunt and godmother, said that Odom spoke a greeting and gave a thumps up Friday morning, his first communication since being hospitalised.

Odom has been unconscious at a Las Vegas hospital since being found Tuesday at the Love Ranch brothel in Crystal, Nevada.

Alston said Mercer is the sister of Odom’s late mother who helped raise him in New York, where she still lives. Mercer and other family members, including estranged wife Khloe Kardashian, are in Las Vegas at the hospital.

Odom’s aunt and godmother is thanking the public for its support after the NBA star was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel.

Publicist Alvina Alston issued a statement Friday on behalf of JaNean Mercer, Odom’s maternal aunt and godmother.

The statement said in part: “No words can express the overwhelming gratitude we feel for the outpouring of support from around the world.”

Alston said Mercer is the sister of Odom’s late mother who helped raise him in New York, where she still lives. Mercer and other family members, including wife Khloe Kardashian, are now in Las Vegas.

The statement says, “His complete healing is paramount and our primary focus.”

Odom remains hospitalised in Las Vegas.