The one-and-only Dennis Rodman is calling upon a close friend, a man he calls Kim, to release a Korean-American sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for “hostile acts” against the state.

In response to a May 3 Op-Ed in the Seattle Times by Thanh Tan, which called upon Rodman to leverage his relationship with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un to release the 44-year-old Washington man, the Worm tweeted that he is calling upon Un to “do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose.”

The Hall-of-Fame basketball player has raised eyebrows the past few months after he visited North Korea with a number of Harlem Globetrotters and a film crew to document the trip. He considers Un a close friend and said he would like to go back to the country this summer.

I'm calling on the Supreme Leader of North Korea or as I call him "Kim", to do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose.—
Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) May 07, 2013

In direct response to your article headline, "Ok." Read your story @uscthanhtan, and I decided to help. ow.ly/kNvp3—
Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) May 07, 2013

Dennis Rodman met with the FBI to discuss his North Korea trip. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images)

Dennis Rodman’s relationship with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un appears to have piqued the interest of the FBI.

The narrative took yet another turn this week when the Miami Herald revealed that Rodman said he was contacted by the federal agency to inform them of what he saw while visiting the country in February with Harlem Globetrotters and a film crew for a documentary.

Rodman, who was invited back by Kim Jong Un in August and said he wants to go, told the Herald that the FBI wanted to know “what went on” and “who’s really in charge” in the country:

“I have been contacted by the FBI and I met with them. They wanted to know what went on and who’s really in charge in North Korea. I have been invited back to North Korea in August and I want to go. I’m not a total idiot. I know what Kim Jong-un is threatening to do regarding his military muscle. I hope it doesn’t happen because America will take whatever actions to protect America and our allies. I do think, umm, you know, that we have to talk to people who want to cause us harm so hopefully they won’t. I’ve been talking to folks for years who don’t get what I’m about but that’s cool, ’cause once they walk away they like me. I might be able to keep folks’ heads cool. We all going to find a way to get along and keep peace.”

Dennis Rodman flew to Rome on Tuesday with the hopes of meeting the Pope. (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Just when it seemed like it couldn’t get any stranger than Dennis Rodman flying to North Korea to meet with leader Kim Jong-Un, the “worm” flew to Rome on Tuesday with the hopes of meeting the new Pope at some point.

The NBA Hall of Famer might be there for a while. The Cardinals who gathered at the Vatican had not reached a decisive vote Tuesday night after the first ballot was cast.

Rodman told TMZ that he wants to help spread “peace and love” and believes that his recent visit to North Korea and his trip to Rome will help accomplish that goal:

“I want to be anywhere in the world that I’m needed … I want to spread a message of peace and love throughout the world.”

It sounds like this could be the start of a global tour for Rodman, who has fashioned himself as a sort of unofficial U.S. diplomat to world political and religious leaders, using his basketball fame as a means to open doors. The Where’s Waldo-character also announced on Tuesday that he will return to North Korea in August for a vacation with Kim Jong-Un, a man Rodman regards as a “friend for life.”

NBA commissioner David Stern spoke out against Rodman’s recent trip to North Korea, calling his visit “ridiculous” and said any meetings with leaders like Kim Jong-Un should be done through the State Department:

“I think it’s ridiculous. I think that if you’re going to meet someone with the record on human rights, and nuclear testing in a reckless way, counterfeiting U.S. dollars, and exporting a horrible brand of whatever it is that he’s exporting, starving his people, and locking them up, it should be done only in conjunction with the State Department with an agenda. If not, you shouldn’t go.”

Dennis Rodman watched a basketball game in North Korea with leader Kim Jong Un on Thursday. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dennis Rodman and Kim Jong Un attended a basketball game together on Thursday, according to Chinese news outlet Xinhuanet. The game, which reportedly ended in a 110-110 tie, was between 12 players on the North Korean side and four Harlem Globetrotters representing the United States.

The former NBA star, along with a small group of Harlem Globretrotters and a documentary film crew, have been in North Korea since Feb. 26 with the hope of playing a few exhibition games to improve relations between the two countries:

During the match, Rodman, who wore dark glasses and a hat, sat to the left of Kim Jong Un. Without any translators, the two talked directly to each other and laughed, witnesses said.

College students and citizens of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital, were also invited to the game. Foreign diplomats and representatives from international organizations were also in attendance, but journalists from outside the country were not allowed. North Korean cheerleaders in miniskirts performed during the intermission, and then during a post-game ceremony a North Korean university presented a banner to the Harlem Globetrotters. Rodman said the game represented a friendship between the two countries.

Rodman is expected to leave North Korea in the next couple of days, but some of the other U.S. delegates with him on the trip will remain until March 5 as they visit Panmunjom on the border with South Korea.

In a New York Times report published the day he arrived, Rodman was quoted as saying he went over to North Korea to “have some fun” and hopes the kids will enjoy his visit:

“We got invited and we just came over to have some fun. Hopefully, everything will be O.K. and the kids will have a good time with the games.”

Kim Jong Il, the former leader of the country, was known as a big basketball fan, which may explain why Rodman has received a rather unusually warm welcome at a time when tensions are rising between the countries. A Michael Jordan-signed basketball was given to Kim Jong Il in 2000 by then Secretary of State Madeline K. Albright and is displayed in the “Hall of Trophies” in North Korea. According to the New York Times report, “Kim Jong-il was obsessed with the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s, a fascination he apparently passed along to his son, the current leader.”

It's true, I'm in North Korea. Looking forward to sitting down with Kim Jung Un. I love the people of North Korea. #WORMinNorthKorea—
Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) February 26, 2013

They love basketball here. Honored to represent The United States of America. #WORMinNorthKorea—
Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) February 26, 2013

I'm not a politician. Kim Jung Un & North Korean people are basketball fans. I love everyone. Period. End of story. #WORMinNorthKorea—
Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) February 26, 2013

Dennis Rodman’s new book, “Dennis the Wild Bull” encourages children to just be themselves. (Photo courtesy of Amazon.com)

Dennis Rodman has written a book for children, “Dennis the Wild Bull,” which was released on Wednesday, according to ProBasketballTalk. The book’s main message is that it’s okay to be different — if you are yourself, you will be accepted, as Rodman was by his teammates in Detroit and Chicago during his time in the NBA.

The Hall-of-Famer also wrote a book titled, “I Should Be Dead by Now” about Rodman’s struggles during his post-NBA life, including the dissolution of his marriage with Carmen Electra and his drinking problems.

Rodman, 51, played 14 season in the NBA (1986-2000) and was named Defensive Player of the Year twice. He won five championships, two with the Pistons and three with the Bulls.

NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman wrote a children’s book. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Former NBA player Dennis Rodman has written a children’s book that will be released later this year, reports TMZ.com.

The book, titled “Dennis The Wild Bull,” will try to “convey good lessons to children based on Dennis’ own experiences as a world-class athlete while overcoming obstacles as a child,” according to the book’s website.

The 51-year-old Rodman is known for his unconventional choices. He has had some difficulties in the past year. He was sentenced to 104 hours of community service earlier this year for failing to pay his child support. It had been reported earlier in the year that he was “broke” and had a “well-documented drinking problem.”

Rodman was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. He averaged 13.1 rebounds per game in his NBA career and led the league in rebounding for seven consecutive seasons at one point.

NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman was sentenced 104 hours of community service in family court. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Former NBA star and Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman was sentenced to 104 hours of community service in family court stemming from four counts of contempt for failure to pay child support.

“My suggestion is to use your talents as a motivator, as a fine, fine athlete and as a fine person to assist others in need,” Court Commissioner Barry Michaelson told Rodman.

Rodman still has contempt charges against him and ex-wife Michelle Rodman’s attorneys say he still owes more than $800,000 in back child support, reports the Associated Press.

“It’s all about the kids,” Rodman told the court. “It does suck the fact that it had to come to this.”

Rodman, 51, won five NBA championships and last played with the Dallas Mavericks in 2000.

Former Chicago Bulls power forward, Dennis Rodman, is facing potential jail time for failing to pay child support and for not appearing at his latest court hearing, according to TMZ.

According to reports, Rodman owes $179,000 in child support in the state of Florida, where the penalty for not providing child support can result in jail time. In addition to this amount owed in Florida, he also owes $800,000 to his ex-wife, Michelle Rodman.

According to his attorneys, Bradford Cohen and Vanessa Prieto, he was never properly served the legal papers and was unaware of the court hearing.

Rodman, 50, has been married and divorced three times, having three children with two of his ex-wives. He has been in and out of rehab multiple times. He has also faced many legal issues ranging from domestic disturbance and violence to driving under the influence.

Former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman has an alcohol addiction and a declining financial situation that could send him to jail for not paying child support, according to ABC news.

Rodman has a “well-documented drinking problem, and all the stress from the divorce and not seeing his kids isn’t helping. As people know, it’s a daily struggle. He has good days and bad ones and good weeks and bad weeks.” Rodman’s manager Darren Prince said, “He does see a counselor from time to time.”

“Rodman is broke and cannot afford any additional fees,” Rodman’s attorney Linnea Willis filed in his court papers today. She also said he is “extremely sick.”

Rodman, 50, faces a potential 20 days sentence for failure to pay spousal and child support according to Rodman’s spouses attorney. He has been married and divorced three times, and has been in rehab multiple times.

Chicago Bulls legend and well-known NBA bad boy Dennis Rodman will become the head coach for a topless women’s basketball team, according to the New York Post.

Rodman reportedly created the team, sponsored by a New York area gentlemen’s club, to compete with a similar team former NBA star Spud Webb has decided to coach.

The 50-year-old Rodman was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2011. Despite his long track record of controversy off the court, Rodman led the NBA in rebounding for seven consecutive seasons from 1991-1998. He was also an important member of the late 1990’s Bulls squad that won three consecutive NBA championships.

Webb, 48, is best known for winning the 1986 NBA Dunk Contest despite being just five feet six inches tall. Over the course of his career he averaged 9.9 points and 5.7 assists per game.