Basketball great LeBron James will be the official starter when the 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race celebrates its centenary this weekend, organizers of the endurance classic said Monday.
The Los Angeles Lakers forward, the NBA's leading career scorer and a four-time champion, joins a list of celebrity starters who have carried out the ceremonial role over the decades.
Hollywood actor Brad Pitt was the starter in 2016, and Steve McQueen lowered the French flag to start the race in 1971, the year he starred in the movie "Le Mans."
"King James" will unleash the 62-strong field Saturday.