Arenas to preach non-violence

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Suspended Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas said he will deliver a message of non-violence to young fans in an effort to rebuild his reputation.

The Washington Post published an item Tuesday on its op-ed page that Arenas said he was using as a chance to "rebuild my relationship with young people in the D.C. area."

Arenas was suspended Jan. 27 by the NBA for the rest of this season after he admitted to taking guns into the Wizards locker room. He pleaded guilty to carrying an unlicensed pistol -- a felony -- and is to be sentenced March 26.

In his Post article, Arenas said, "I gave NBA Commissioner David Stern good reasons to suspend me" but also wrote of how he's viewed by young fans.

"While I regret a lot about this incident, letting the kids down is my biggest regret," Arenas said. "I love the time I spend with the kids here in the District and it means a lot to me whenever I can help lift their spirits or inspire them, especially kids who have difficult lives."

Arenas said a "message of non-violence," explaining that guns and violence aren't joking matters, will be part of his reputation-building.