Dennis Rodman to train North Korea’s basketball team

Dennis Rodman will travel to North Korea next week to train the North Korean basketball team, along with a group of Americans, according to the Associated Press.

Rodman has previously visited North Korea and met Kim Jong-Un, the country’s leader, in a high-profile trip captured in a documentary on HBO. According to the AP, “Rodman considers Kim a close friend,” and has planned the trip for a long time, and it won’t be canceled despite Kim’s executing his uncle, Jang Song Thaek. Jang, according to the AP, was the No. 2 ranking person in the government.

Rodman said he’s bringing former pro basketball players on the trip, but declined to say whom. From the AP report:

“Yes, I’m going to North Korea to train the basketball team,” he told The Associated Press by phone. “I’m going to bring American players over there. Yes I am. I’m going to be the most famous person in the world when you see American people holding hands and hoping the doors can be opened. If they can. If they can. If they can. I’m going. I’m going back for his birthday. Special.”

Kim’s birthday is in January, and he’s hoping to organize an exhibition match.

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