EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Basketball great LeBron James has become the first professional male athlete to have his likeness depicted in a Ken doll.

Mattel Inc. unveiled the LeBron Ken doll on Wednesday to kick off the toy manufacturer's “Kenbassador” series. Last year, nine female athlete Barbies, including tennis star Venus Williams, were introduced.

“As a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me but also showed me what’s possible through hard work and dedication,” James said. “Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. That’s why partnering with Barbie to release the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll is such an honor. 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.”

The LeBron doll wears sunglasses, headphones and a blue-and-white letterman's jacket with “LJ” on the left breast, his number 23 on the right sleeve and Ohio and crown patches on the other. His first name is on the back with “Just a kid from Akron” underneath. His T-shirt says “We Are Family,” a nod to the LeBron James Family Foundation. His blue shoes, of course, are Nikes.

The doll costs $75 and goes on sale Monday.

In an Associated Press-produced video of James seeing the doll for the first time, the “King” expressed his approval, repeatedly calling the doll “dope,” another word for “cool.”

While looking it over, he put an “I Promise” wristband on the doll's wrist and adjusted the strap on its fanny pack.

“OK, now we ready,” James said. “I mean, he might need to do a little lifting. Legs look a little skinny. Little fraily little fellow. Nah, that's dope.”

Mattel senior vice president Krista Berger noted that Ken is Barbie's longtime best friend and supporter.

“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,” Berger said.

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Billie Jean King immortalized in bronze with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

LOS ANGELES — Billie Jean King became the first woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the new sports entertainment category on Monday and she was joined by friends Magic Johnson and Oscar-winning actor Jamie Lee Curtis.

“The important things is, I don’t want to be the last one,” the Hall of Fame tennis player told the crowd.

King received the 2,807th star, located near the famed intersection of Hollywood and Vine across from the historic Pantages Theater. Its electronic marque read, “A star for a star. Congratulations Billie Jean King.”

Fans gathered on the sidewalk outside a dumpling shop while horns honked and celebrity tour buses cruised past on busy Hollywood Boulevard. King's wife, Ilana Kloss, joined the clutch of photographers to shoot her own pictures.

“You always fight for what’s right,” Johnson told King above the din. “You lend your platform and your voice and your time and your money to bring about change.”

Johnson, like King, is a part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were honored at the White House earlier Monday for winning the 2024 World Series.

“We're just alike,” he said. “We're super competitive as hell, we're control freaks because we know that if you put it in our hands we're going to win. You've been a winner your whole life, you love to help people and last but not least, you always will stand for what's right.”

The ceremony reunited King with players Rosie Casals and Julie Anthony from the earliest days of the WTA Tour, as well as the tour’s retired athletic trainer Connie Spooner. Also attending were five-time major champion Maria Sharapova and Stacey Allaster, former WTA CEO and current U.S. Open tournament director.

“Billie Jean King's contribution is power,” Curtis said. “She's power on the courts, she's power in the courts, she's power in the press, power in her public advocacy, power in her fight for freedom, power to be who she is now.”

King grew up in Long Beach, 34 miles south of Hollywood. She played at the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills tennis clubs, where she’d spot stars like Lucille Ball and Doris Day.

“My family loved music and movies,” she said. “A trip to Hollywood, a movie at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, was a special treat for our family. My mother would have loved this.”

King attended Oscar-winning actor Holly Hunter's star ceremony in 2008.

“I remember thinking back then, ‘Oh man, this is really cool. This is unbelievable,’” she said. “'Oh, I'm never going to get this.' Here I am.”

King was the first to step on her bronze star after it was uncovered several blocks east of where her longtime friend Elton John's is located.

“Remember,” she said, “my star is your star.”

Also on hand was Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, her husband Jay Mohr, rapper Flavor Flav, race-car driver Katherine Legge and Emmy-winning screenwriter Jane Anderson.

In January, King served as grand marshal of the 136th Rose Parade and last year she received the Congressional Gold Medal.

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John Stamos defends appearance at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort

John Stamos is defending his recent appearance at a charity event held at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

The 61-year-old “Full House” alum said his role of emcee at the Palm Beach Ray of Hope Gala on Saturday was not tied to any political affiliation, but was instead “dedicated to honoring and uplifting our frontline heroes.”

The sold-out “ Dancing with the Stars”-themed event was a “nonpartisan” benefit for The Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations, Stamos wrote on Instagram Monday. He described the academy as a nonprofit organization that trains up to 400 nurses each year to address the shortage of health care workers in Palm Beach County.

Even though the gala was cochaired by Linda Adelson and Janet Levy, both of whom share ties to Trump, Stamos underscored that “supporting nurses isn’t political — it’s essential.”

“These are the people who care for us and our families when we need it most, and I believe we should show up for them with the same unwavering dedication they show up with every single day,” he continued. “I stand by the importance of health care, of service, and of investing in those who care for our communities.”

Stamos, who has reportedly supported Democratic policies in the past, added that his “values and political views remain unchanged,” while encouraging followers to contribute to the liberal organization Democracy Forward if they prefer not to give to Palm Beach Ray of Hope.

From combined wire services