UCLA freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley, and Jalen Hill have returned home from China where they were held for shoplifting. Though they were able to avoid jail time, the players have been suspended from the basketball team indefinitely. They will not be able to travel, suit up for road games or take part in practice while the school performs a review of the situation.
“They will have to earn their way back,” UCLA coach Steve Alford said during a news conference Wednesday.
The players allegedly stole sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store next to the team’s hotel in Hangzhou, where the Bruins were staying before leaving for Shanghai for a game against Georgia Tech on Friday. They were held and questioned before being released on bail early Wednesday morning and had been staying at a lakeside hotel in Hangzhou.
President Donald Trump, who was already on an Asia trip, spoke to President Xi Jinping of China about the incident, and the players were allowed to return to the United States on Tuesday. Wednesday morning, Trump asked on Twitter if the players would thank him for getting them released as they were facing 10 years in jail. During a press conference Wednesday morning, the players apologized for their actions.
To the three UCLA basketball players I say: You’re welcome, go out and give a big Thank You to President Xi Jinping of China who made…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2017
….your release possible and, HAVE A GREAT LIFE! Be careful, there are many pitfalls on the long and winding road of life!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2017
