Mattel, the makers of Barbie, announced on Wednesday that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar will be the first professional athlete to get his own Ken doll in his likeness. James will become Mattel ...

James is the first athlete to have his own rendition of a Ken doll. The Los Angeles Lakers star teamed up with Barbie to create the first-ever athlete-inspired Ken doll. Mattel "As a young kid ...

which stands 1 inch taller than a standard Ken doll, has custom clothing that salutes his Akron, Ohio, roots and Nike shoes. Several athletes have been recognized with their own Barbie dolls.

The toy swiftly grew so popular she needed her own entourage. In 1961, Barbie got a boyfriend, Ken, named, perhaps oddly, after the Handlers’ son. In 1963, she got a best friend, Midge ...