A little over a week ago, news got out that Metta World Peace has agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.43 million — making him the highest paid import player — to go play in China for the Sichuan Blue Whales in the CBA this upcoming season. However, as if that news wasn't big enough already, he took it a step further by announcing that the move overseas will bring a new name.

I'm changing my name for the China this season !!!! You guys will love it

— mettaworldpeace.com (@MettaWorldPeace) August 1, 2014

While we wait to get word on what it actually is, China Daily has the scoop on what it might be and in true Ron Artest Metta World Peace fashion it's, well, uhhh, different.

New high-profile import playing for Chinese basketball Association club Sichuan Blue Whales is known as Ron Artest but intends to change his name to "Panda Friend" in honor of his move to China.

World Peace, who is known in China as "Ci Shiping", a literal translation of "Metta World Peace," now plans to name himself after China's giant panda, a precious animal based in Southwest China's Sichuan province, where his new team is also based.

via Metta World Peace enjoys China treat, poised for new name | China Daily

Mr. Friend has a different ring to it, but he loves pandas and plans on visiting them as soon as he touches down in China, so why not?

First thing I am doing when I get to china will be visiting Pandas with my daughter @BabyGirl_Sade

— mettaworldpeace.com (@MettaWorldPeace) July 31, 2014

Plus, this is a good look:

ron artest, panda friend. cc: @montoyan @jasonWSJ pic.twitter.com/K29lswp7Jq

— darth™ (@darth) August 7, 2014

via r/NBA.