LeBron James to play himself in basketball film 'Fantasy Basketball Camp'

LeBron (shown above) on the cover of Vogue with model Gisele
Bundchen will play himself in his new movie. Photo: Vogue

Basketball pro LeBron James is set up for a new play and he's ready to take on the role of himself in a new movie about the sport, "Fantasy Basketball Camp".

The 24-year-old Cleveland star is teaming up with Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment to produce a comedy about five guys, all with different backgrounds, who find themselves in Vegas all vying for one dream.

The group of five will travel to Sin City to take part in the LeBron James Adult Basketball Camp and eventually meet up with LeBron for semi-life counseling.

Producer Brian Grazer picked LeBron because his son wanted to meet him. Professionally, though, he feels the Cavs "King James" will suit his part well.

Of the move, “I initially sought LeBron out because my 8-year-old son, Thomas, and I were just dying to meet him, but I felt that beyond being one of the world’s great superstar athletes, here was someone so relaxed and comfortable with himself that he would have the capability to be that way onscreen,” he said in an interview with Variety.

Adding, “Later, when I watched him host Saturday Night Live, and saw his advertising work, it was clear he can do this,” he added.

Production should begin next summer concluding the 2009-2010 NBA Basketball season. 

LeBron has led his Cleveland team to consecutive playoff appearances from 2006 through the last 2009 season - Breaking a mold that kept the Cavs confined to regular season play since 1992. In 2007, the Cavaliers advanced to the Conference Finals for the first time in over a decade and to the 2007 NBA Finals for the first time ever in franchise history.

James has played on the USA national team, ringing in a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and gold at the 2008 Olympics.