Metta World Peace Reportedly Changing Chinese Name to 'The Pandas Friend'

Metta World Peace has already changed his name once in the United States. It now looks like the former NBA star is at it again—this time in China.

World Peace recently reached an agreement to play for China's Sichuan Blue Whales. From the sound of things, he was pretty excited to start a new chapter in his life.

That last little tidbit was a bit of foreshadowing.

Update: August 12 at 3:15 p.m. ET

Ron Artest Metta World Peace The Pandas Friend is really getting into his new name:

[Instagram, Twitter; h/t SI's Extra Mustard] 

--End of Update--

Update: August 7 at 2:10 p.m. ET

Metta World Peace has provided some clarification:

Apologies, The Pandas Friend.

--End of Update--

According to ChinaDaily.com, World Peace announced on Twitter and Sina Weibo—a Twitter-like social media website in China—that he will be changing his Chinese name.

In China, the 34-year-old is currently known as "Ci Shiping," which translates to Metta World Peace. ChinaDaily.com reported that World Peace intends to change his name to "Panda Friend," in honor of China's giant panda.

What do you think about World Peace's potential new name? Are there any other options he should consider now that he is playing in China?

[Metta World Peace, h/t USA Today's FTW]