North Korean basketball club held training camps for American students . `` We really wanted to promote basketball , diplomacy , friendship , break those barriers , '' said Elie who founded the club -- Club founder Luke Elie grew up with his missionary parents in North Korea close to the Coaches Team . Elie believes his was the first American basketball team ever to visit North Korea . New leader Kim Jong Un is believed to love basketball , as did his father .
North Korean basketball club held training camps for American students . Club founder Luke Elie grew up with his missionary parents in North Korea close to the Coaches Team . Elie believes his was the first American basketball team ever to visit North Korea . New leader Kim Jong Un is believed to love basketball , as did his father .