Ron Artest, popularly known as Metta World Peace, is the son of Golden Gloves fighter Ron Artest Sr. At the moment, his father serves as The Artest Foundation’s founder and co-executive director. Alongside his father, Ron occasionally participates in the foundation’s charitable endeavors.
Ron Artest, formerly known as Metta World Peace, is a retired NBA player who played for 19 seasons.
He played collegiate basketball for the St. John’s Red Storm under the name Ron Artest.
In the first round of the 1999 NBA draft, he was selected by the Chicago Bulls.
Throughout his NBA career, Artest played for several different teams, but his time with the Los Angeles Lakers was mostly responsible for his fame.
He took a year off from the NBA before playing his last season with the Lakers in 2015 and finally retired in 2017.
The Artest Foundation Was Founded by Ron Artest Sr., Ron Artest’s Father, a Former Golden Gloves Boxer and Navy Veteran
Born Ronald William Artest Jr. on November 13, 1979, Ron Artest grew up in Queensbridge, Long Island City, Queens, New York. His parents are Sarah Artest and Ron Artest Sr.
Ron Artest’s mother worked as a bank teller, while his father is a Navy veteran and former Philadelphia Golden Gloves boxer. Isaiah and Daniel are his two younger siblings.
Perhaps as a result of his mother’s professional commitments, Ron Artest became closer to his father.
It was his father who instilled in him life lessons and life wisdom that have stayed with him to this day.
In an attempt to keep his son out of trouble, Ron Artest Sr., a former boxer, taught him how to box.
His son’s temper has always been a source of worry for Ron Sr.
He believed that boxing would help him stay away from Queensbridge’s rampant substance use and violent crime.
However, the road wasn’t for Ron Sr. as a father. Once, his son wrapped his hands around another boy’s throat in a school cafeteria when he was eight years old.
So, Ron Sr. had to make a tough decision and sent his son to anger management therapy.
Ron’s counselor recommended basketball as a way for him to express his feelings.
This demonstrates Ron Sr.’s concern for his son, his unwavering desire for the best for him, and his support for his NBA star’s ambitions.
In Case You Did Not Know
- Ron Artest and Kimsha Hatfield began dating intermittently when they were 14 and 15. In 1997, Sadie, their first child, was born. After getting married in June 2003, the couple got divorced in 2009.
- The Artest Management Group is his own business. The business has a film division and assists athletes with tax preparation.
