Ron Artest Basketball Card 2000 Fleer Ultra No. 32 - Mint condition, see photos ... Includes FREE SHIPPING. Note sports memorabilia market hit $16 billion in 2023. Projections indicate it will reach $52 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 14% during the forecast period (2024-2032).
Ron Artest, who later changed his name to Metta World Peace and then Metta Sandiford-Artest, had a turbulent yet impactful 17-year career in the NBA. Renowned for his tenacious defense, Artest was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 and was a four-time All-Defensive Team selection. His career, however, was often defined by controversy, most notably his central role in the infamous "Malice at the Palace" brawl in 2004, which resulted in an 86-game suspension, the longest for an on-court incident in NBA history. Despite his volatile reputation, Artest remained a talented and sought-after player, suiting up for six different NBA franchises. The pinnacle of his career came in 2010 when he played a crucial role as a starting forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, helping them secure an NBA championship and hitting a pivotal three-pointer in the final moments of Game 7. Throughout his career, Artest was a complex figure, known as much for his on-court altercations and eccentric personality as for his elite defensive skills and clutch performances.