North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un wanted the U.S. to send him “famous” basketball players as part of a denuclearization deal, according to a report from ABC News on Friday.
The request reportedly came in writing during Kim’s summit with President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Vietnam earlier this year. In addition to basketball players, ABC also reported that Kim wanted an “exchange of orchestras” as part of the deal. (RELATED: Officials Announce ‘First-Ever Siezure’ Of North Korean Ship Allegedly Used To Bust Sanctions)
Talks fell apart after Trump refused to lift sanctions, and both sides ended up walking away without a deal.
US President Donald Trump (R) walks with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (L) during a break in talks at the second US-North Korea summit at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi on February 28, 2019. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
It’s no secret that the North Korean despot has long had an affection for basketball. Kim is a huge fan of the NBA, and has become close friends with Hall-of-Fame big man Dennis Rodman, who has traveled to North Korea numerous times, and even attended the first summit between Kim and Trump in Singapore last year. (RELATED: Flashback: Here’s A Look At The Unusual Friendship Between Rodman And Kim Jong Un)
In fact, it’s likely that Rodman is the only person in the entire world to be mutual friends with both Trump and Kim.
Retired American professional basketball player Dennis Rodman speaks to the press as he arrives at Changi International airport ahead of US-North Korea summit in Singapore on June 11, 2018. (Photo credit: ADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty Images)
Kim is apparently a huge Chicago Bulls fan, but that team doesn’t have much star power right now, so it’s unlikely he would have requested somebody from Chicago’s roster.