This is one of a series of brief articles meant to introduce the DWTS viewer to each of the season 13 celebrities. Until Dancing with the Stars begins and we get our TV introductions, this will have to do!
Why You Know HimRon Artest is a professional basketball player, having been a member of the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers throughout his 12-year career.
Ron is also infamous for a 2004 brawl during a Pacers/Pistons game. A late-game foul led to shoving between players, which in turn led to involvement with fans in the audience. The brawl netted Artest the longest-ever NBA suspension for on-court antics -- 86 games.
Ron made the news recently for his June 2011 petition to legally change his name to Metta World Peace.
Why He's on Dancing with the StarsWith his basketball career probably due to wind down in the near future, you've got to imagine that the star is looking to diversify.
DWTS fans represent a whole new demographic to impress.
Dancing/Performance ExperienceAs an athlete, Ron Artest will probably have a bit of an edge. But, other than a little-known rap album, Artest's performance experience is practically non-existent.
DWTS PotentialSports stars often do well. Ron seems to be a charismatic man. Sports fans among the
Dancing with the Stars audience might respond best to him. Still, Ron will have to contend with his height (often a problem while dancing) and a mostly-unknown partner in Peta Murgatroyd.
Want to know about the other
Dancing with the Stars contestants? Click on any of the names below!
Carson KressleyChaz BonoChynna PhillipsDavid ArquetteElisabetta CanalisHope SoloJ.R. MartinezKristin CavallariNancy GraceRicki LakeRob Kardashian(Image courtesy of ABC)