LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ron Artest has absolutely no regrets about giving away his Los Angeles Lakers championship ring to boost mental health awareness.
Artest plans to announce the winner of the charity raffle for his ring Saturday night at a club across the street from Staples Center, where the Lakers host the Miami Heat in the NBA’s Christmas showcase.
Artest came up with the scheme to give away his first ring after putting a spotlight on mental health by thanking his psychiatrist after Game 7 of the Lakers’ NBA finals triumph over Boston last June.
Artest’s raffle has raised well over $500,000 for his Xcel University charity, which will work with high-risk youth on mental health issues. Even Lakers coach Phil Jackson says he bought a few tickets.
