There are many players in the NBA who have changed their names and the latest in chronological order is One’s Edges he added Freedom to his name. This decision was made to express his opposition to the authoritarian regime that prevails in Turkey, his native country.
But who are the others who have changed their name?
Players who have changed their names
FERDINAND LEWIS ALCINDOR JR-KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR
One of the best players in history, he began his career with his first name, but changed it in 1971 due to his conversion to Islam.
AKEEM OLAJUWON – HAKEEM OLAJUWON
In 1991 he decided to add a “h”At the beginning of his name, stating it was to correct him.
CHRIS WAYNE JACKSON – MAHMOUD ABDUL-RAUF
He too like Kareem Abdul-jabbar he decided to change his name following his conversion to Islam in 1991. He became known for being one of the first not to stand during the US anthem before matches.
BRIAN WILLIAMS – BISON DELE
To honor his Native American origins, he decided to change his name in 1998, using it for his final season in the NBA. 3 years after his retirement in 1999, he disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
RON ARTEST – METTA WORLD PEACE
He changed his name in 2011, in his Lakers years and is quite possibly the most famous change in recent history. Put is a Buddhist term and means benevolence and active interest in others, World Peace instead it is a clear message to humanity. Last year he changed his surname again, becoming Metta Sandiford-Artest.
JEFF PENDERGRAPH – JEFF AYRES
He decided to change his surname, passing from that of his stepfather to that of his biological father, to whom he had reconnected after a very long time.
KEITH WILKES – JAMAAL ABDUL-LATEEF
Jackson Keith Wilkies changed its name to Jamaal Abdul-Lateef, but in the course of his brilliant career, he went down in history under the name of Jamal Wilkies, which is the mix of the two names, but mostly with the nickname “Silk”.
LLOYD B. FREE – WORLD B. FREE
In his years in Brooklyn he was nicknamed “World” and decided to use it as a name, making it (translated into Italian) world be free.
JR HENDERSON – JR SAKURAGI
He played only one season in the NBA, after being drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies. He later moved to Japan, where he changed his name after taking citizenship to play for the national team. His surname refers both to the cherry blossom and to the protagonist of the manga Slam Dunk.
MAYBYNER RODNEY HILARIO – NENE
Nene, like many Brazilian athletes, he decided to use his nickname, but in order to put it on the shirt he had to change his name legally.
BILL WALKER – HENRY WALKER
William Henry Walker simply decided to use his middle name as he couldn’t stand the nickname “Billy”, with which he was called by all.
Not just in the NBA there are athletes who have changed their names for one reason or another. One of the best known characters it was the boxer who changed his name Cassius Clay which, after converting to Islam, changed its name to Muhammad Ali.
