(CNN) -- Dennis Rodman's latest round of controversial "basketball diplomacy" in a country ruled by one of the world's most repressive regimes is about to begin. The former NBA star and a documentary crew are due to fly Thursday afternoon from China to North Korea, where he is to spend four days helping train a team of North Korean basketball players for a January exhibition in Pyongyang. That January 8 exhibition -- said to be against a yet-unannounced team of former NBA players -- will celebrate the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom Rodman has called a friend and a "very good guy" despite international condemnation of the country's human rights records.
@highlight
Rodman to help prepare North Korean basketball players for upcoming exhibition
@highlight
Rodman is important to North Korea's attempts to project unity, columnist Gordon Chang says
@highlight
Sister of Kenneth Bae calls on Rodman to press for detainee's release
Rodman said he struck a friendship with @placeholder, a basketball fan, during Rodman's first trip in February.
It's not clear whether Rodman will meet with @placeholder during the basketball training visit.