Dennis Rodman will coach a team of North Korean sports players during his upcoming "basketball diplomacy" trip, a new report from CNN has revealed.
Online gambling site Paddy Power, which is footing Rodman's bill for his expedition to Pyongyang, told CNN on Friday that the Hall of Famer will touch down in the North on Dec. 19, and train a team of basketball players from the DPRK until the 23rd, in preparation for a game against a team of ex-NBA players named "Dennis' Dream Team." The names of the former ballers who will be playing on the US side have not yet been released, but Paddy Power alluded to there being a "high-profile" NBA coach heading up the team.
A more detailed announcement is slated to drop before Rodman lifts off for the North next week.
Spokesperson for Paddy Power Rory Scott stated that "taking a pragmatic view, we have spoken to many experts familiar with recent developments in DPRK and it was the general consensus that it is safe for us to travel there. The purpose of this trip is not to get involved with politics, but to prove once again that sport has the power to rise above all issues. And this will be a unique sporting occastion."
The game has tentatively been dubbed, "The Big Bang in Pyongyang."
CNN reported that the first half of the game will be a match between the United States and North Korea. During the second half, the two teams will mix players from either side.
Rodman hasn't solidified plans to pay a visit to Kim Jong-Un, but since the former NBA player reportedly has a friendly relationship with the supreme leader, it's likely the two will meet.
