The Los Angeles Lakers have a new name on the roster
now that Ron Artest's bid to change his name to Metta World Peace
has been approved.
The decision, rendered by Superior Court Commissioner Matthew
St. George after a brief hearing on Friday, completed a process
begun by the NBA player in June, when he said he wanted to change
his name for personal reasons.
The official change was delayed pending resolution of a traffic
ticket.
The player, whose full given name is Ronald William Artest jnr,
helped the Lakers win the NBA title in 2010.
Superior Court spokeswoman Patricia Kelly says his new surname
is World Peace, while the player's publicist said his chosen first
name of Metta is a Buddhist term that means loving kindness toward
all.
"Peace" hasn't always been a hallmark of the 31-year-old
forward's career.
In 2004, he received one of the longest NBA bans in history for
his role in a brawl with fans in which he raced into the stands in
Detroit.
He recently testified before Congress in support of mental
health legislation.
As the NBA wrestles with labor issues in a lockout that could
threaten the start of the season, he's preparing to display other
talents as a contestant on the upcoming season of the hit TV
dancing competition "Dancing with the Stars".
World Peace isn't the first high profile US athlete to make an
unconventional name change.
In 2008, Cincinnati Bengals gridiron star Chad Johnson legally
changed his last name to Ochocinco.
In 1981, NBA player Lloyd Bernard Free changed his name to World
B. Free.