Different game, same name: Jeron Artest joins Green Archers’ practice

Last April 13, Jeron entered the Enrique Razon Sports Complex at three o’clock in the afternoon just in time for basketball practice. He took part in some drills and joined in a couple of scrimmages, showing off some skills and grit comparable to that of his basketball star father. While many might think that this is the current King Archer and team captain Jeron Teng, they had the wrong Jeron in mind.

Jeron Artest, son of former NBA player Ron Artest, was invited to participate in the DLSU Green Archer’s practice session, with La Salle’s coaching staff closely watching. After successfully recruiting some of the country’s top high school players, the Green Archers are not about to turn off their recruitment radars just yet.

The 14-year old, who hails from Los Angeles, California, flew to his mother’s homeland for the first time to visit relatives. Growing up in the United States, he was unfamiliar with the Filipino culture despite growing up with his mom, Jennifer Palma. In his one week trip, the younger Artest wanted to learn more about the Philippines, especially the basketball-crazy side of it.

On Court Aspirations

Having a father who played in the NBA meant that the ninth grader had high expectations placed on him by fans and media alike. Fortunately for them, the talent seems to have been passed on. Despite standing just 5’7 with a thin frame, he was still able to keep up with the Green Archers, most of whom are five to six years older than he is.

“I’m used to it. I usually play in the park all the time.  I don’t like playing with people my age because I try to play with older people to get better,” the young man remarked. He added, “Compared to the men’s [division], they play a lot more rough here.”

During the practice session, Artest amazed observers with his decision making and quickness. Playing as both a point and shooting guard, he displayed an excellent mid-range game, coupled with nifty dribbling skills that could leave defenders flat on their feet. Although his offensive game is a bit different from his father’s, it is his defense that seems to have been inherited from the man now known as Metta World Peace.

“I try to make my own style of play offensively, but I guess I’ve been playing defense like him.  My whole life I’ve had his instincts I guess,” he answered when asked about him and his dad’s similarities.

In fact, he often meets with his father back in the States. Rather than playing basketball as expected, they instead work on the other aspects that complement his game. “He works on my conditioning a lot instead of basketball because I practice more on my own and he’s more scared of me getting injured and stuff. So we work on that more often,”Artest said.

Ultimately, the young Filipino-American has many plans with regards to his basketball career. First in line would be to look for scholarships for college, which, depending on his performance, will decide his next step in life. “I would want to finish college, but if I do really good one year and pro teams are already asking me to play or like scouting me really, or if I win a championship, I have to go,” he explains.

Also on his list is a possible stint with the junior national team or “Batang Gilas” in future tournaments. He mentions that if called-up for duty, he would love to represent the Philippines in international competition. As of press time, his mother is working on their dual-citizenship papers that would enable Artest play for the country.

Beyond Basketball

The younger Artest performed admirably during practice, with some of the Green Archers still in awe with what he could deliver on the basketball court. But despite what he’s showing at a young age, it is fascinating to know that Artest excels in his academics as well.

For starters, Artest is an honor student back in Palisades Charter High School and is knowledgeable in computer programming. “I think it started at seventh grade. I submitted my first game a month ago at the app store [for iOS].  I’m waiting for it to be approved because that whole process is complicated, you have to send it in, get it approved by the app store people who [do] the testing and [then] it goes to the app store,” says Artest who plans to take up a degree in both computer science and finance in college. His other hobbies include playing the piano and playing golf.

Jeron is one of Artest’s four children, the others being Sadie, Ron III, and Diamond.

His basketball prowess wasn’t the only thing he inherited from his dad as Palma mentions a number of similarities that the father and son share. “They have the same mannerisms. They walk the same. They dance the same. They eat the same. But you know, Jeron is much more level-headed than me and his dad”, she mentions with a laugh.

The older Artest is currently playing for the Pallacanestro Cantu in the Italian League. Known for his unorthodox style of defense, World Peace was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year back in 2004, while also earning an All-Star spot in the same year. World Peace’s greatest accolade came in 2010, winning the NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside superstar Kobe Bryant. Interestingly, he played high school hoops at La Salle Academy in Manhattan, New York.

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Artest is still several years away from making his decision whether to play here in the Philippines or back in the United States, or if he decides to play college basketball at all.  In the meantime, he is open in exploring the opportunities that await him, even a career outside of basketball.  This won’t be such a long shot given his outstanding credentials beyond the hardwood.  When talking about his possible career choices, the 14-year old concluded, “I see myself working on my own, not really for somebody.  I would be working on my own game development and investing.”

On a lighter note, fans will probably not see the younger Artest wearing his Father’s “Panda Friend” shoes on the court anytime soon.  “My brother, He’s 6’6.  His name is Ron too and he has the same [shoe] size as my dad already, [and] he wears them sometimes.  I’d only wear them to go outside, not even, sometimes,” he jokingly shares.