Three UCLA men’s basketball players were arrested in China for shoplifting on Tuesday, a day ahead of U. S. President Donald Trump’s first official visit there, according to several media reports.
(Reuters) – Three UCLA men’s basketball players were arrested in China for shoplifting on Tuesday, a day ahead of U. S. President Donald Trump’s first official visit there, according to several media reports.
The players arrested were freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill, according to USA Today, the Los Angeles Times and ESPN, all of which cited unnamed sources familiar with the incident. Ball is the younger brother of National Basketball Association rookie Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The University of California, Los Angeles, declined to confirm the arrests.
“We are aware of a situation involving UCLA student-athletes in Hangzhou, China,” UCLA Athletics said in a statement provided by spokeswoman Shana Wilson. “The university is cooperating fully with local authorities on this matter, and we have no further comment at this time.”
The three players were questioned about stealing from a Louis Vuitton store next to the hotel where the team is staying, ESPN reported.
