Nat Newell

nat.newell@indystar.com

RON ARTEST

Ron Artest became Metta World Peace in Sept. 2011 and he's reportedly in the process of changing his name to The Panda's Friend, wearing sneakers with plush panda heads while playing for the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association. He did not respond to requests for interviews from The Indianapolis Star but is releasing a book, "The Untold Story of the Malice at the Palace."

He's averaging 23.3 points (second on the team) on 49.2 percent shooting, and 6.8 rebounds for a team that is 6-1. Americans can only play two quarters in the Chinese Basketball League, according to the New York Post.

World Peace played for the New York Knicks last season, averaging 4.8 points in 13.4 minutes in 29 games before being waived on Feb. 24, 2014. He pointed to a knee injury as the reason for his dip in production and is interested in returning to the NBA, recently telling the New York Post, "I'm one of the best all-around small forwards in the world."

World Peace requested a trade from the Pacers early in the 2005-06 season and was dealt to Sacramento for Peja Stojakovic on Jan. 26. He continued to play at a high level for four seasons, won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2010 and averaged 12.4 points and 5.0 rebounds as recently as 2012-13 for Los Angeles.

He will sell his book on his website, mettaworldpeace.com, and use the proceeds to help mental health awareness. He's already raised $700,000 for the cause by raffling off his championship ring.

"One of the things I wanted to do in the book was go through the years before the incident and my mentality that night and the night before. And my relationships with my father, mother, things I couldn't let go as a kid," World Peace told the New York Post. "Actually, it feels like it never happened, only the footage keeps me affiliated."

JOHN GREEN

John Green is the fan who sent the then-Ron Artest into the stands on Nov. 19, 2004 by throwing a cup of diet soda at Artest while he lay on press row after getting shoved by the Pistons' Ben Wallace.

Green, who could not be reached for comment, and World Peace did a radio interview in 2009 in which they discussed the friendship that developed after the incident. World Peace decided to reached out to Green while talking to his psychologist, getting in contact through Twitter.

"Ron's a good guy," Green said during a radio interview on ESPN Los Angeles in 2012. "And you wanna know what? I like to think the same thing about myself. Yes, I've made bad choices and maybe Ron has, too, but I think he and I are very similar. We're very passionate people, but we admit when we're wrong, too. … Right away (when he received the call), because Ron's so soft-spoken, I thought it was Michael Jackson or something. … We just started talking and we hit it off. He apologized and I did. … It came from him and it takes a lot to do something like that."

JERMAINE O'NEAL

Jermaine O'Neal's career likely came to a close with a productive season for the Golden State Warriors, primarily as a reserve last season.

O'Neal replied to an interview request from The Indianapolis Star via text message, stating that he would "respectfully decline" and had "NO interest in talking about anything that has to do with the brawl or anything thing (sic) that's associated with it! Life has moved on and so have I."

He continued to play at an All-Star level through 2006-07, was traded to Toronto on July 9, 2008 — the Pacers received Roy Hibbert in return — and would also play for Miami, Boston and Phoenix before finishing with 44 games at Golden State last season.

On Nov. 10, O'Neal posted on Facebook: "My company Drive Ventures is putting together a empire that has a portfolio that includes technology companies, media companies and a wide range of Resturants! Winning is the only option and I promise yall I will not lose!!!!! Stay tuned because this next chapter of my life will be life changing and motivating to others! I'm a "Business" mannnnnnnnnn!"

STEPHEN JACKSON

Stephen Jackson's basketball career followed a similar arc as World Peace and O'Neal: Playing at a high level for several seasons after the brawl and likely playing his final NBA game last season. Jackson appeared in nine games with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2013-14 before being waived on Jan. 7, 2014.

Jackson, who did not respond to The Indianapolis Star's request for comment, told hoopshype.com on June 22: "If it happens, it happens. I'm not sitting around with my fingers crossed. If I get a call, I will explore it, but I'm enjoying my life, man. I'm doing music now so it's all good."

Jackson continues to release rap mixtapes under the name Stak5.

ANTHONY JOHNSON

Anthony Johnson is working as a scout for the New Orleans Pelicans and told the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier in 2013 that his ultimate goal is to be an NBA general manager.

"At first, I didn't think I'd like that aspect of the NBA," said Johnson, a Charleston native. "There was no immediate gratification for me like there was in coaching when you can see players and teams coming together for one goal. But the more I got involved with it and began to understand what it takes to run a (team), the more I liked it."

There were reports Johnson was to be named the men's basketball coach at the College of Charleston, his alma mater, but he pulled out due to a 2011 domestic dispute, according to the Post and Courier. According to the arrest warrant, Johnson pushed his pregnant wife in the throat in front of their son.

Johnson was charged with two counts of simple battery, one count of simple battery of a pregnant female and third-degree cruelty to a child, the affidavits said, according to the Post and Courier. Through a pre-trial agreement, Johnson pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct, served 19 days in jail and one month of probation, which was suspended. He also attended an anger management session.

"I pleaded no contest because I thought it was in the best interest of my family," Johnson said. "I told the administration about the incident before they started their preliminary background check on me."

Johnson and his wife were divorced in 2013 but are working toward reconciliation. Johnson declined to comment to The Indianapolis Star through the Pelicans.