Ron Artest Changing His Name and Jersey Number

Two months after filing the necessary paper work, Ron Artest is expected to officially become Metta World Peace today. He’s also going to change the number on his jersey again. Per Yahoo! Sports: “The Los Angeles Lakers forward – born Ronald William Artest Jr. on Nov. 13, 1979 – will officially have his name changed to Metta World Peace on Friday. Along with his name change, Artest also said he plans to switch his jersey number to 70 next season. ‘You can call me Ron today and then it’s over. It’s a wrap,’ Artest said. ‘It’s about love, world peace. Everybody can relate to that, whether it’s in the same community or the same state or the same country or whether it’s a country going to war. It’s about world peace. You know what I mean? The kids need to know that, and they know that now.’ Artest currently wears No. 15 for the Lakers, and this won’t be his first number change. During his time with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Lakers, he has also worn No. 23 to honor Michael Jordan, No. 91 to honor Dennis Rodman, Nos. 93 and 96 to honor his hometown of Queens, N.Y., and No. 37 to honor Michael Jackson. Artest’s goal is to wear 10 numbers before the end of his career. ‘I’m changing it to 70 because it’s like something to do with the universe,’ Artest said. ‘Everything kind of repeats itself. The universe is one. It’s the same thing. Healthy minds, just keeping the kids positive.'”