For all the Lakers fans out there, toy company Mattel — best known for their Barbie doll line — recently announced their latest project: The LeBron James Ken doll.
Standing a full inch taller than its peers, the LeBron James Ken doll bears the likeness of the four-time NBA Champion. “[He] might have to do a little lifting,” James joked while playing with the doll in a Mattel promotional video. “Legs are looking skinny!”
The doll sports an electric blue varsity jacket with a number of embroidered patches, including the athlete’s initials “LJ” and his basketball jersey number 23. The doll’s shirt reads “We Are Family,” referring to the star’s philanthropic LeBron James Family Foundation. Accessories included in the doll’s set are a pair of Beats headphones, Nike sneakers, a basketball, and a fanny pack.
James is the first professional male athlete to receive a Ken doll in his likeness as well as the title of “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 said in Mattel’s official announcement.
“Ken is Barbie’s longtime best friend and supporter,” said Krista Berger, Mattel’s Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls. “We are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken that celebrates LeBron as a role model, his icon status, lasting impact on culture, and dedication to setting a positive example for the next generation to reach their limitless potential.”
While the Barbie brand has been a cornerstone of Mattel for the last 65 years, the toy company has made a recent push to diversify its dolls to better represent various cultures, body types, and backgrounds. In 2015 and 2024, Filipino-American artist and Barbie Signature’s lead designer Carlyle Nuera designed and released two Filipino-inspired Barbie dolls, each one sporting traditional Filipina attire. Earlier this March, Mattel introduced the Corazon Marikit doll, inspired by the manananggal of Filipino folklore.
