Ron Artest says he still wants to play for the Cheshire Jets

Ron Artest doesn't want to part ways with the British Basketball League's Cheshire Jets just yet.

It's only been three weeks since he boasted to The Times, "I'm definitely playing for the Jets." But plenty of cold water has poured on that possibility. Artest postponed his planned trip to the U.K. from Aug. 18-23, his agent David Bauman said, partly because of the team's failure to offer insurance. Bauman has since said Artest won't join the Jets should they refuse insurance. And, oh yeah, it just became official that Artest will be featured on "Dancing with the Stars," beginning Sept. 19.

Artest maintains his plans won't alter.

"I'm going to be with the Jets after Thanksgiving," Artest said in a phone interview. "After Dancing with the Stars, I'm going to go with the Jets."