LeBron James has left an indelible footprint on the ground during his career, but he is also accumulating far more for his cultural influence off the court.
With the unveiling of an official Ken doll this month, the renowned basketball star will establish his reputation as the first male athlete to be memorialized.
Crafted to “celebrate influential Ken figures who are creating positive change and contributing to a better world for all,” the figure is a member of Barbie’s Signature Kenbassadors series.
The collector’s item will be on sale on Monday, April 14, at 12:00 AM ET in a few Target locations as well as online at Target.com, Walmart, and Mattel Creations.
It will retail for $75 and be available on Amazon. On this day in history, the first Black Barbie doll was released.
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Given that the doll has many characteristics of the Akron, Ohio, athlete’s life narrative, every feature was thoughtfully created and selected.
Labron’s Ken is dressed in a blue and white varsity jacket that reads “Just A Kid From Akron” on the back and “LJ” on the front.
His native state and foundation are also represented by a number of patches.
A pair of Nike sneakers, black-and-white houndstooth slacks, and a t-shirt that reads “We Are Family” complete the ensemble.
James, in a statement, noted: “I was lucky to have role models as a young child who not only inspired me but also showed me what’s possible through hard work and dedication. As an adult, I now recognize the importance of providing young people with excellent role models. It is, therefore a great honor to collaborate with Barbie on the LeBron James Kenbassador doll. It’s a chance to acknowledge the significant influence of role models who give children hope, encourage aspirations, and demonstrate that they, too, are capable of greatness.“
The Undefeated store on La Brea in Los Angeles held a US-only launch on Saturday, April 12, for fans who wanted to be among the first to get their hands on the doll in person.
Before the official drop on April 14, a small quantity of LeBron-signed dolls will be on sale.
Check out a full photo of the new LeBron James Ken doll below and mark your calendars for the April 23 release date.
