American · Queensbridge, New York · Born 13 November 1979The most complex figure in NBA history — Defensive Player of the Year, champion, and author of the Malice at the Palace.
Ron Artest — who later legally changed his name to Metta World Peace and subsequently to Metta Sandiford-Artest — was born in Queensbridge, New York in 1979. Chicago Bulls selected him 16th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft. His 17-season career produced 13.9 points per game, the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004 and an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010 — where he hit the three-pointer that effectively sealed the title in Game 7. He was the central figure in the Malice at the Palace in November 2004 — a brawl that spilled into the stands at Detroit's Palace of Auburn Hills after a fan threw a cup at him — one of the most notorious incidents in American sports history. He was suspended 86 games — the longest non-drug suspension in NBA history. He spoke publicly about mental health challenges throughout his career — among the first active NBA players to do so openly. His championship three-pointer and his Defensive Player of the Year award existed alongside the Malice, creating one of professional sport's most complicated individual legacies.
Defensive prowess and involvement in Malice at the Palace brawl
How They Played
Physical defender, versatile forward, emotional intensity
Lasting Impact
Elite defender who won championship with Lakers after controversial career
Career Honours
- NBA Champion (2010)
- Defensive Player of Year (2004)
- All-Star 1x
- Malice at the Palace infamy
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bulls | 1999–2002 | 175 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2009–2011 | 144 |
| Indiana Pacers | 2002–2006 | 259 |
| Sacramento Kings | 2006–2008 | 105 |
| Houston Rockets | 2008–2009 | 69 |
| New York Knicks | 2013–2014 | 29 |
| Sichuan Blue Whales | 2014–2015 | 29 |
American Athletes