UCLA basketball team leaves China without LiAngelo Ball and two other players accused of shoplifting
The three freshman are likely to be in Hangzhou for a week or two while the situation is resolved
The UCLA basketball team is heading back to Los Angeles without three players arrested on shoplifting charges in China, a person with knowledge of the situation told Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley were to remain in Hangzhou, China, while the rest of the team was due back Saturday night. Ball is the brother of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball.
UCLA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment by AP. UCLA won their season-opening game 63-60 over Georgia Tech in Shanghai earlier Saturday.
The trio was questioned by police on suspicion of stealing from a Louis Vuitton store next to the team’s hotel in Hangzhou last week, where the Bruins visited before leaving for Shanghai.
Citing a source with first-hand knowledge of the investigation, ESPN reports the players could be Hangzhou for “a week or two” while the situation is resolved.
The source told ESPN there is surveillance footage of the players shoplifting from three stores inside a high-end retail centre.