LiAngelo Ball, the younger brother of Los Angeles Laker rookie Lonzo Ball, was among three UCLA basketball players arrested in China for allegedly shoplifting. The team is in country to play Georgia Tech on Friday in Shanghai.
Reports ESPN:
One source told ESPN the players — which also included freshmen Cody Riley and Jalen Hill — were arrested on shoplifting charges.
The players are being questioned about stealing from a Louis Vuitton store that is located next to the team’s hotel.
A source tells ESPN the players are not currently with the team.
Multiple calls and texts to UCLA head coach Steve Alford around 1 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning were not immediately returned.
UCLA released a statement: “We are aware of a situation involving UCLA student-athletes in Hangzhou, China. The University is cooperating fully with local authorities on this matter, and we have no further comment at this time.”
Calls to Ball’s father, LaVar, were not immediately returned. Ball previously told ESPN that he was planning on traveling to China for the game, but it is unknown whether he is there.
One source told ESPN that nearly 20 police officers came into the Hyatt Regency Hangzhou around 8 a.m. local time Tuesday and spoke to several Georgia Tech and UCLA players. The players, according to the source, were kept in a room for hours and not allowed to speak to any coaches.
“They weren’t messing around,” the source told ESPN. “The kids were scared.”
While the Georgia Tech players were allowed to leave, the UCLA kid were reportedly seen getting into a police car.
Innocent until proven guilty folks.
We’re also skeptical considering players from both squads were questioned about shoplifting, which isn’t exactly a team sport. Did the LV store say they got gaffled by tall basketball players?
Nevertheless, this tweet didn’t age very well.
https://twitter.com/UCLAMBB/status/926913131212709889
Barack Obama would have squashed this, but with Donald Trump in Asia…pray for LiAngelo Ball.
—
Photo: Getty
