LeBron James Kenbassadors Doll

This shipping box for Mattel Item Number HRM33-9993 holds a doll coveted by many.

Acquiring the LeBron James Kenbassadors Doll was almost like finding a needle in a haystack. At two different websites on the evening of release (04/14/2025), I 1) had the doll carted, and I "stood in line" for four minutes before MattelCreations blasted the SOLD OUT insult across the screen; and 2) I hurried over to Target where the site indicated I could cart the doll; I did, which was followed by a second insult that the doll was not available to order online and that it was not yet available at my local Target store. I felt defeated, but never to be pressed to order at more than retail any newly released doll, I resigned myself to the fact that I'd wait until the doll was either on Amazon or Walmart at retail for however long that would take. 

Later, in the afternoon of 04/15/2025, someone posted on Facebook that the doll was available to order at FAO Schwarz. I shared the link with others before placing my own order, which appeared to go through successfully, but FAO notified me on 04/16/2025 that some items in my order had been refunded. (I ordered two other items from FAO to qualify for free shipping. I am one of those people who hate paying shipping, who will add other items to their cart, and in essence, spend more money,  to save on shipping.)

Because I had contacted FAO's customer service the day of my order to ask if I could use a new-customer coupon code that I failed to enter at checkout, (which was granted but only on the other two items and not on the LeBron James doll), I received the following personal email from the same person who granted the use of the coupon:

Hello Debbie,

I just wanted to let you know that unfortunately we had to cancel the Lebron barbie off your order, as our warehouse was unable to fulfill this item. When they went to fulfill your order the Lebron barbie was completely sold out, this item sold through very quickly. I am so sorry for the inconvenience.

I have also processed the welcome discount for you. You should receive a separate confirmation email of that refund.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to assist you. Have a wonderful day!

Thank you,

G. 

I appreciated G.'s kind note, her apology, the reassurance that the coupon was granted, and that I would receive a refund for the doll, but I-still-wanted-the-doll.

Everything worked out as intended for me because I received the LeBron James Kenbassadors Doll from a dear doll friend as an early birthday gift. Woo hoo! I am deeply indebted to said dear doll friend and feel extremely blessed and highly favored. 

Several pictures of this spectacular doll are included in yesterday's DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum installation, and I set aside the following few for this post.

The doll's box was wrapped in white tissue paper inside the shipper. Some of the tissue paper rubbed against the inside of the box and tore as I gingerly pulled the box out of the shipper.

In all its splendor, this is a full-length view of this remarkable doll.

I'm not a sports fan or a LeBron James fan, but I wanted this doll icon in my collection. It is the first doll in the Kenbassadors series, which, as the back of the box indicates, "celebrates influential Ken figures who are creating positive change and contributing to a better world for all." 

The back of the box includes a headshot of LeBron James and glowing biographical text about the sports icon and the legacy he is building to champion others both on and off the court.

The doll captures LeBron James' likeness as illustrated by this close-up headshot of the doll.

An image of the LeBron James Family Foundation circular emblem is included on the front and back of the box. James is definitely doing great things on and off the court, and Mattel has created a spectacular tribute to the man. My only wish is that this Barbie Signature Black Label doll (to be produced in unlimited quantities) were readily available to all who desire it at the retail price and not doled out a few quantities at a time to increase the already existing demand for it. Do better, Mattel, and stop playing in our faces. 

Related Link

LeBron James Ken *Update*

LeBron James Ken (VBDM installation)

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All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

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Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

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Check out my eBay listings here.
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*New*Visit/Follow DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum
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LeBron James Ken *Update*

LeBron James Ken is the 1st doll in the Kenbassador series.

Mattel Creations website changed the release time. See blue text below.

I had to temporarily leave my month-of-April hiatus to share the upcoming April 14th at 12:01 a.m. ET (or 11 p.m. CST and 9 p.m. PT on the 13th) Mattel Creations release of the LeBron James Ken. Quantities are also scheduled to be in some Target stores on April 14th and on Amazon and other sites on April 15th. 

Cost: $75

Details and buy links (from a Facebook #ad post by Stacelina Monique):

"Underneath the jacket, LeBron is wearing a black We Are Family T-shirt from his foundation, along with black and white houndstooth pants and blue and white Nike Air Jordans.

"Some notable details of the doll are a pair of black Beats headphones, a gold watch, a green I Promise wristband, a black cap, a black pair of sunglasses, and a black crossbody fanny pack.

"Listings, dolls are not in stock yet.

[In the U.S.,] You can get it here: https://amzn.to/4icdVOw

Collectors from the UK can get it here:

https://amzn.to/42d7ZPr

"Collectors from Canada can get it here:

https://amzn.to/42qwwBH "

This is huge because this is the first Ken in the Kenbassador series and because the doll has garnered intense interest from doll collectors, sports enthusiasts, and LeBron James fans. I foresee purchasing attempts to be hectic and  frustrating for many who will not be able to purchase due to exhausted initial quantities, yet quite exhilarating for those who can purchase it without a hitch. The hunt and chase will definitely be on for this doll!

View 19 photos on Instagram courtesy of Black Barbie Guide.

__________

All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

Check out what I am selling here. 
Check out my eBay listings here.
Please follow my sister blog Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black.
*New*Visit/Follow DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum
Donate here to support this blog. Thank you!

Before I Take a Break

Dolls from the You Create Barbie Kit No. 003 without wigs

These ladies (Rose, Minh, and Caro) make another bold appearance before we/I take a break from this blog.

Rose, Minh, and Caro look fabulous with or without wigs.

I will resume my focus here in May. In the meantime, if you are not already a subscriber, please add your email address to the subscribe/sign up field of the Virtual Black Doll Museum, where my focus on documenting 1000 antique, vintage, modern, and one-of-a-kind black dolls remains. (To date, over 840  dolls in the combined categories have been curated and installed.)

 

See you in May.
 

__________

All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

Check out what I am selling here. 
Check out my eBay listings here.
Please follow my sister blog Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black.
*New*Visit/Follow DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum
Donate here to support this blog. Thank you!