Former NBA star Dennis Rodman is slated to travel to North Korea and begin training their basketball team this week .
According to USA TODAY, Rodman is expected to arrive in North Korea before week's end and his trip will not be affected by the recent execution of leader Kim Jong Un's uncle. Jang Song Thaek, once the country's No. 2 official behind Jong Un, was executed earlier this month in an act the government has since hinted was brought on by what it considered acts of treason against the current regime.
Rodman has long boasted of being close friends with Kim and has previously visited the country on numerous occasions. The newspaper reports as part of his involvement with the team, the five time NBA champ has already organized an exhibition game scheduled for January in Pyongyang between a team of American players and the North Korean squad that will also highlight Kim's birthday.
Rodman told USA TODAY he plans to unveil the American roster next week and insists several former pro players have agreed to participate.
"Yes, I'm going to North Korea to train the basketball team," Rodman recently told USA TODAY. "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."
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