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St. John’s basketball: Formerly known Ron Artest changes name again

By Kevin Connelly

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 08: Metta World Peace reacts in a St. John's Red Storm 82-70 loss to Arizona State Sun Devils during the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Staples Center on December 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 08: Metta World Peace reacts in a St. John's Red Storm 82-70 loss to Arizona State Sun Devils during the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Staples Center on December 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The former St. John’s basketball standout that was formerly known as Ron Artest has changed his name once again.

Ever since leaving his hometown of Queens and his playing career at St. John’s the player formerly known as Ron Artest has lived a very interesting life.

Artest played at the school from 1997-1999 and led the Johnnies to a berth in the Elite Eight in his final collegiate season that ended in a 28-9 record (14-4 Big East).

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In his final season in Queens, the New York native won the Haggerty Award, was named to the First Team All-Big East, and a Third Team All-American.

Drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the No. 16 overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, the former Red Storm star suited up for six different NBA teams, including his hometown New York Knicks, and won the 2010 NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In two seasons with St. John’s, Artest averaged 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.5 percent from the floor and 35.5 percent from 3-point range.

One year after his championship with the Lakers, Artest changed his name to Metta World Peace in order to promote kindness and world peace as the word ‘Metta’ is a Buddhist term that means loving kindness and friendliness for all.

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Artest was a key figure in the infamous Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers brawl in 2004, which is now known as ‘The Malice in the Palace’.

Now the former NBA All-Star will go by a new name, Metta Ford-Artest, as he said in an interview with current Los Angles Laker Danny Green on his podcast, “Inside the Green Room with Danny Green”.

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The reasoning for the new name is to combine his original last name with the last name of his wife, Maya Ford, while keeping the ‘Metta’ in order to promote world peace. (Pun extremely intended)

Then World Peace made an appearance to see his Red Storm last season when St. John’s upset No. 16 Arizona, 70-67, in the Basketball Hall of Fame Al Attles Classic at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.