Ron Artest might not be able to embrace his new identity as Metta World Peace — yet.
But the audacious Los Angeles Lakers forward has found a way to keep his name in front of the public during the lockout.
The website Terez Owens.com reports that Artestas a member of the 13th season of ABC-TV’s popular reality show “Dancing with the Stars.”
The competitors will be revealed in a couple of hours later during “The Bachelor Pad” later tonight.
Artest will be competing against Rob Kardashian, the brother-in-law of his teammate Lamar Odom.
The Orange County Register reports thatwill also include Nancy Grace, Kristin Cavallari, Ricki Lake, Chynna Phillips, Hope Solis, Elizabetta Canalis, David Arquette, Ryan O’Neal, JR Martinez and Chaz Bono.
Artest has been coy about his involvement in the past.
“I play defense, but I don’t know if I can dance,” Artest last month.
He better learn quickly unless he wants to embarrass himself like participants Kenny Mayne, Tucker Carlson and Buzz Aldrin did before him.