Dennis Rodman Leaves North Korea Without Meeting Kim Jong-un

Says North Korea's basketball players are "awesome"

Beijing (CNN) -- Flamboyant former NBA star Dennis Rodman has left North Korea without meeting the country's leader Kim Jong Un, but with high praise for local basketball players Rodman trained while there.

"They are awesome," Rodman told CNN while in transit at Beijing Capital International Airport on Monday.

Rodman started his third visit to North Korea last week, spending four days in the isolated nation to assist setting up an exhibition game featuring North Korean players and a dozen NBA veteran players -- identities of which are yet to be announced. The friendly game is planned for Kim Jong Un's birthday on January 8.