And he’s doing it for a good cause: mental health.
There’s no punchline here. Artest is simply doing an altruistic deed.
Artest finally won a title in June after 11 regular seasons of trying … and now he’s planning to sell the championship ring as a fundraiser to put more psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists in schools.
“I’m never going to put it on,” he said.
Artest plans to soon announce details of what he hopes will become a worldwide auction, and he takes possession of the jewelry in an Oct. 26 pre-game ceremony before the Lakers open against the Rockets. It’s an incredible gesture. But it’s even more meaningful as a statement.
“You work so hard to get a ring, and now you have a chance to help more people than just yourself, instead of just satisfying yourself,” he said. “What’s better than that? For me, this is very important.”
Artest has long been considered crazy, and he probably is, but he thanked his therapist after Game 7 for helping him get his mind right for competition. Now he’s using his considerable celebrity to shine a light on a problem that is close to his heart.
