Born on November 13, 1979, Metta Sandiford Artest is a former American professional basketball player. While he took birth his name was Ronald William Artest Jr. before he changed his name to Metta World Peace in the year 2011, he was prominently and popularly known as Ron Artest. Later, in the year 2020, he changed his name to Metta Sandiford-Artest. For the St. John’s Red Storm, Sandiford Artest used to play basketball for his college. In the NBA, he played for more than five teams and from then he was successfully known as one of the league’s premier defenders. In the year 2004, Artest was rewarded with the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and that was the time when he was also named NBA All-star and eventually earned All-NBA honors. As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Artest won an NBA championship in the year 2010. In several controversial on-court incidents, Sandiford Artest was the participant. The incidents used to take place most probably in the Malice at the Palace. Later, he was the player development coach during the 2017-18 season for the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League.
Why did Ron Artest Change his Name?
During the 2011, offseason, Artest officially changed his name to Metta World Peace. In the Los Angeles Times, the reason he gave for changing his name was, that he was tired of his name Ron Artest and so he changed his name. He also added that when his fans say his name they usually can’t say that I hate World Peace. The word Metta means Loving Kindness and it is the Buddhist term and he will surely add this to his first name. As he revealed on Inside the Green Room with Danny Green, it was his last name that he has changed. His name now is Metta which means inaudible Ford-Artest. He later said that he added his wife’s last name. The name of his wife is Maya Ford and he eventually added her last Ford to his name and his name. Kimsha Hatfield is the name of his first wife but he did not use her name as his name. Since the 2016-17 season, Artest has not played in the NBA. In the year 2014, he played in China and at that time there were rumors that his name has changed to ‘Panda Friend’. By changing his name, he says that he is respectively honoring the name of his wife Maya Sandiford.
Ron Artest Net Worth
$30 Million is the net worth of an American retired professional basketball player, Ron Artest. Metta World Peace and Metta Sandiford Artest are the other names of Ron Artest. He earned his reputation and became prominent after he played for six NBA teams. In the year 2010, Artest won the NBA championship with Los Angeles. For many controversial incidents on the court, he is professionally included in the Pacers-Pistons brawl in the year 2004. For 86 games, he was unfortunately suspended due to his actions in the incident.
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Ron Artest Early Life
Born as Ronald William Artest, later he was known as Metta World Peace. He was raised in the Queens Bridge projects in Queens, New York. Isaiah and Daniel were the names of his two younger brothers. In the high school named La Salle Academy, and at the college named St. John’s University he used to play basketball from the year 1997 to 1999.
Ron Artest Personal Life
Artest’s name was officially changed to Metta World Peace on September 16, 2011. He changed his name just because he wanted to inspire and bring youth together all around the world. The Artest Management Group is the name of his own company. His company eventually helps athletes to prepare taxes and he also has a film division.
Ron Artest Career
From the year 1997 to 1999, Ron Artest played college basketball at St. John’s University. He scored most of his marks in Mathematics. Artest eventually led the Red Storm to a 14-4 record in the Big East Conference and in the NCAA Division 1 Tournament, he made the record of 28-9 losing to Ohio State. While playing around New York, he gained fame and became prominent and became famous after he played in the NBA championship.
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