LEBRON JAMES made yet more history – with a very unlikely new business venture.
The basketball icon, 40, has enjoyed one of the greatest careers ever seen on the court.
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He is a four-time NBA, NBA Finals MVP and AP Male Athlete of the Year – and has featured in a whopping 21 NBA All-Star matches.
James also boasts three Olympic gold medals, the last of which came in Paris last summer.
But now the NBA icon has branched into TOYS.
That is because LeBron has his very own Barbie doll.
In doing so, James became the first professional male athlete to be honoured as a Ken doll.
The design has incredible attention to detail – including his initials on the fashionable jacket, the LeBron branded cap, his big gold watch and carrying a pair of Beats headphones.
It is even an inch taller than the regular Ken doll to reflect his 6ft 9ins height.
When James first saw the doll – created by Mattel – he excitedly said: “Oh, he dope! That’s so cool!”
He then joked his Ken doll may need to hit the gym and “do a little lifting, legs are looking skinny”.
LeBron said of his new role as a ‘Kenbassador’: “It’s an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams, and show kids that they, too, can achieve greatness.”
James joins the likes of Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Megan Rapinoe as athletes with Barbie dolls.
Mattel senior vice president Krista Berger said: “We are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken.
She added the doll celebrates “LeBron as a role model,” his ability as an icon to transcend culture and set a “positive example for the next generation.”
And fans on social media were loving the LA Lakers hero’s latest career move.
One said: “When was anyone going to tell me LeBron is getting his own official Barbie doll?! It’s part of a Kenbassadors line inspired by outstanding men. That’s so cool!!!”
Another wrote: “So when we coppin our LeBarbies?”
And a third added: “LeBron seeing his Kenbassador doll for the first time is a dream come true.”
The LeBron Ken doll launches on the Mattel website on April 14 and costs $75.
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