Metta World Peace (born Ronald William Artest, Jr., November 13, 1979) is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was known as Ron Artest before legally changing his name in September 2011. World Peace gained a reputation as one of the league's premier defenders as he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004. He was a participant in several controversial on-court incidents, most notably the Pacers–Pistons brawl and is known for his sometimes eccentric and outspoken behavior. Metta World Peace was born Ronald William Artest, Jr., and raised in the Queensbridge projects in Queens, New York. He has two younger brothers, Isaiah and Daniel. He played high school basketball at La Salle Academy and college basketball at St. John's University from 1997–1999. In 1999, he helped the Red Storm to the Elite Eight, losing to Ohio State. He gained fame playing in some of New York City's high profile summer basketball tournaments at Nike Pro City, Hoops in the Sun at Orchard Beach, Bronx, New York and Dyckman Park at Washington Heights, earning himself nicknames such as Tru Warier and The New
Minutes after the Los Angeles Lakers went down to the Denver Nuggets ... Metta World Peace's evening was just beginning ... at a fancy Hollywood nightclub. MWP -- who's still suspended for… READ MORE >
Metta World Peace is accused of shorting a former employee on pay day ... according to a new lawsuit filed by the woman.TMZ obtained a copy of the suit filed by Rebecca Cha ... Friday in L.A.… READ MORE >
Metta World Peace says his childhood hero Michael Jordan left the NBA players high and dry in the never-ending lockout drama -- by forgetting he was once one of them ... and acting like every… READ MORE >
Metta World Peace is taking his aspiring comedy career VERY seriously -- and TMZ has learned he's even enrolled in a stand-up "boot camp" to hone his skills during the NBA lockout. MWP made his… READ MORE >
Phil Jackson has one word for concerned Laker fans ... chill -- because the former coach says there's no way Kobe Bryant will miss a single NBA game if he plays overseas. Phil was flying out of… READ MORE >
Call him Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, Mr. Peace -- or just ... First Guy Voted Off "Dancing With the Stars."The Los Angeles Lakers star lost with grace -- unlike his Cha cha -- and tipped… READ MORE >
Ron Artest OFFICIALLY changed his name to Metta World Peace yesterday -- and in much, much bigger news ... he celebrated by stuffing his junk into a tiny pair of shorts.Check out TMZ on TV --… READ MORE >
Goodbye forever, Ron Artest -- TMZ has learned, the Lakers star is now legally "Metta World Peace."It became official less than five minutes ago -- when an L.A. judge finally granted Metta's name… READ MORE >
Ron Artest just recruited another ardent follower in his ongoing quest for World Peace -- his daughter.Ron's rep tells TMZ, 8-year-old Diamond Artest has told her dad she wants to take on the… READ MORE >
Ron Artest will remain Ron Artest for at least 3 more weeks, because a judge just ruled there will be no Metta World Peace until Ronnie clears up his outstanding traffic ticket warrants.Ron's name… READ MORE >
