'I was grateful to get out of North Korea alive after naively meeting Kim Jong-un'

One sporing icon admitted he was relieved to get out of North Korea alive after meeting Kim Jong-un.

NBA icon Kenny Anderson "didn't do his due diligence" before meeting Kim Jong-un (Image: STR, KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images)

Kenny Anderson recalled his relief at returning home alive after joining Dennis Rodman on a basketball trip to North Korea, where they met leader Kim Jong-un. Former Chicago Bulls star Rodman led a delegation of NBA All-Stars to the country in an effort to improve relations with the United States through basketball.

Kim is said to be a keen fan of the sport. Reports about his health have drawn renewed attention to Rodman's visits, which began in 2013. Rodman has described the North Korean leader as a "friend for life" but some of the players who accompanied him were less comfortable with the experience. Former Boston Celtics guard Kenny Anderson was among the contingent and played in the match, held in North Korea in early 2014. Yet he once disclosed just how lucky he felt to return to the United States in one piece.

"I didn't get a chance to know him, that's Dennis' partner," said Anderson during a 2020 appearance on the Scoop B Radio Podcast. "Dennis is really friends with him, and he got to know him and I just shook his hand and things of that nature. I really didn't get a chance to get to know him, so I can't say anything about that.

"But it was very interesting in the moment of going over there. I was doing a good friend, Dennis Rodman, an opportunity. I didn't know but when I got over there, I thought we were going over to train them.

"When I got over there, I didn't do my due diligence and I didn't know, and when I went over there it was just great. It was great to be a part of that situation, but I'm happy for myself that we was able to get outta there alive and nothing jumped off."

Anderson admitted his limited knowledge on the matter, which was regarded as deeply contentious at the time. Reports suggested those who appeared in the exhibition received just under $10,000 (not from the North Korean government) for taking part, a share of which Anderson claimed he gave to charity following a public outcry.

Rodman led a group of NBA alumni to North Korea for an exhibition game in 2014 (Image: AFP PHOTO / KCNA VIA KNS/Getty Images)

Rodman's connection to the country proved more enduring as he returned to North Korea the following year to assist in coaching the national basketball squad. Anderson had participated alongside fellow NBA veterans Doug Christie, Charles D. Smith, Clifford Robinson, Vin Baker, Craig Hodges and Sleepy Floyd.

"My family was nervous. But it was too late, I was over there," he added. "So I had to just put up with it and everybody back home in the States were calling, I was calling – it was just crazy man. I remember when I got off the plane, everybody I ran to...my wife ran over to me, hugging me, it was nuts man."

During Rodman's trip, North Korea was detaining American nationals Kenneth Bae and Matthew Todd Miller. South Korea-born Bae had received a 15-year prison sentence on accusations of plotting to topple the regime, though his freedom in November 2014 is partially credited to Rodman's direct appeals to Kim.

The North Korean authorities have released photographs as 'evidence' of Kim's present wellbeing. Recent claims suggested the North Korean leader had suffered a brain haemorrhage.