World Peace May Start In Cheshire

In an amazing week of Twitter exchanges Ron Artest tweeted late on Friday ‘I think I might play for Jets in UK!!!! Can’t wait!!!!

Since his revelation on Friday the Jets have spoken to Artest about the possibility of him playing in the BBL during the 2011/12 season. Artest has since changed his twitter profile picture to a mock up of what could be his jets kit and Jets management have started to talk through arrangements of what could be a possible deal.

Artest is currently in year 2 of a 5 year $33m contract with The LA Lakers in the NBA. However the NBA are currently in a ‘lock out’ as owners and The NBA Players Association try to reach agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, in the event that this isn’t resolved it effectively leaves NBA players as free agents for the coming season.

The news of the 6 ft 8 forward’s possible move to the UK has made both the LA Times and the Sunday Mirror over the weekend. Artest, who is currently reported to be going through the American Court system in order to change his name to Metta World Peace was quoted as saying he favours the BBL over other European leagues.

Peter Hawkins, Director of The Jets has said; ‘we are honoured that Ron has even mentioned the prospect of joining The Jets, financially we have nothing to offer him but it would be so significant for UK basketball we have offered him a stake in the club and all the love in the world! To have a genuine NBA superstar even considering coming to The BBL is massive news for our sport and could be the launch pad we need in this country to give the sport the profile it deserves, it might even get the BBC interested in showing the sport!’

Please contact jess.forbes@jetsbasketball.org.uk for more information or call 01244 302010 to set up interviews.