Ex-NBA star Rodman holds tryouts for Pyongyang exhibition game, plans to announce US team soon

Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman speaks to North Korean basketball players during a practice session in Pyongyang, North Korea on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013. Rodman selected the members of the North Korean team who will play in Pyongyang against visiting NBA stars on Jan. 8, 2014, the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) (The Associated Press)

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Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman holds a cigar as he speaks to North Korean basketball players during a practice session in Pyongyang, North Korea, Friday, Dec. 20, 2013. During the session, Rodman selected the members of the North Korean team who will play in Pyongyang against visiting NBA stars on Jan. 8, 2014, the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) (The Associated Press)

Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman smokes a cigar as he watches North Korean basketball players during a practice session in Pyongyang, North Korea on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013. Rodman selected the members of the North Korean team who will play in Pyongyang against visiting NBA stars on Jan. 8, 2014, the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) (The Associated Press)

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has held tryouts for a North Korean team to face a dozen NBA veterans for an exhibition game on leader Kim Jong Un's birthday next month — though he hasn't convinced all the players on his American team it's safe to come to Pyongyang.

The flamboyant Hall of Famer told The Associated Press on Friday that he is pushing ahead although some of the 12 Americans he wants for the Jan. 8 game are afraid to come. Some foreign analysts say the dramatic purge and execution of Kim's once-powerful uncle less than a week ago has cast doubt on Kim's future.

But officials here say there is no instability and Kim remains firmly in control.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/ex-nba-star-rodman-holds-tryouts-for-pyongyang-exhibition-game-plans-to-announce-us-team-soon