(Photo: REUTERS/Danny Moloshok)Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball player Ron Artest arrives at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, in this August 28, 2011 file photo. A Los Angeles Country superior court commissioner legally changed Artest's name to "Metta World Peace" in a ruling September 16, 2011.
It's safe to say you won’t see "Ron Artest" running down the NBA courts anymore. The Lakers forward has changed his name to one that is linked to the Eastern religion Buddhism.
The Los Angeles Laker has officially changed his name to Metta World Peace. The term “Metta” has its origins in the Theravada school of Buddhism and means loving-kindness, which is to be practiced toward others.
The NBA player is not only known for his notable skills on the basketball court, receiving the title “NBA Defensive Player of the Year” in 2004 and now NBA world champion, but also for his sometimes crude behavior.
One of the most noticeable incidents of his career was his central involvement in the infamous Pacers-Pistons brawl in 2004, which led to record breaking suspension times of players in NBA history. The name change is yet another mark in his interesting public history.
After a legal hearing, World Peace explained his thinking behind the name change.
“My name change was meant to inspire and bring youth together all around the world.”
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