Dennis Rodman Announces Roster for North Korea Game

"Basketball diplomacy"

  • Share
  • Read Later
David Guttenfelder / AP

Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman holds a cigar as he speaks to North Korean basketball players during a practice session in Pyongyang on Dec. 20, 2013

Correction appended: Jan. 5, 2014, 11:45 p.m. E.T.

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman announced the list of former basketball players who plan to travel to North Korea to play in an exhibition game for ruler Kim Jong Un’s birthday.

The players include former NBA All-Stars Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson and Vin Baker, as well as ex-players Craig Hodges, Doug Christie and Charles D. Smith. The team will head to Pyongyang to play a North Korean senior national team on Jan. 8 in what Rodman calls “basketball diplomacy.”

Smith, a former player for the New York Knicks, said the trip was about cultural exchange. “Cultural exchange is about sharing. Sharing ideas and thoughts on education, culture and life,” he said.

Rodman, who last visited North Korea in December to train the North Korean basketball team, said his trip would not be affected by the recent execution of Kim’s uncle.

[AP]

An earlier version of this article misstated that Craig Hodges, Doug Christie and Charles D. Smith were NBA All-Stars. They were not.