Lakers' Ron Artest (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times) |
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- If you see Lakers basketball forward Ron Artest on the street, you can officially call him "Metta World Peace."
The NBA star's publicist says the name change takes effect Friday.
It's apparently something the basketball star has wanted to do for a while.
"Ron Artest, (World Peace) has contemplated the name change for years and always knew that he wanted his last name to be World Peace but it took many years of research and soul searching to find a first name that was both personally meaningful and inspirational," his publicist told CNN.
A judge recently put the name change on hold until the 31-year-old cleared up his outstanding traffic warrants.
The Lakers forward filed papers in June requesting the name change.
His first name, "Metta," is a Buddhist word with various definitions along the lines of "loving kindness." World Peace is his last name, his publicist said.
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The basketball star has been known in the past as a troublemaker but has since tried to turn his life around.
In 2004, 'World Peace,' then with the Indiana Pacers, sparked a massive brawl between players and fans during a Pacers-Pistons game.
He has since changed his image, becoming an advocate for mental health issues and raising some $600,000 toward the cause.
The NBA star's publicist says the name change takes effect Friday.
It's apparently something the basketball star has wanted to do for a while.
"Ron Artest, (World Peace) has contemplated the name change for years and always knew that he wanted his last name to be World Peace but it took many years of research and soul searching to find a first name that was both personally meaningful and inspirational," his publicist told CNN.
A judge recently put the name change on hold until the 31-year-old cleared up his outstanding traffic warrants.
The Lakers forward filed papers in June requesting the name change.
His first name, "Metta," is a Buddhist word with various definitions along the lines of "loving kindness." World Peace is his last name, his publicist said.
Read the Court Papers
The basketball star has been known in the past as a troublemaker but has since tried to turn his life around.
In 2004, 'World Peace,' then with the Indiana Pacers, sparked a massive brawl between players and fans during a Pacers-Pistons game.
He has since changed his image, becoming an advocate for mental health issues and raising some $600,000 toward the cause.
