The three UCLA men's basketball players that were accused of shoplifting last week in China are now heading back to the United States, according to a statement released by the Pac-12.
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Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott confirms the three UCLA players are on a flight home from China. "The matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of the Chinese authorities," he said in a release. Thanked the President, White House and the U.S. State Department.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) November 14, 2017
The three players —- LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill —- were arrested last week while on a trip in China for allegedly stealing sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store. The team was in the country ahead of its regular-season opener against Georgia Tech on Saturday. The three players did not play in the Bruins' 63-60 win over Georgia Tech and remained in China as the rest of the team flew back home to Los Angeles.
The Washington Post reported on Monday that President Trump asked China President Xi Jinping to help resolve the shoplifting case against the three players and the Chinese president assured Trump that he would look into the cases and that the players would be treated fairly and the case would be handled in a timely manner. It's unclear what punishment was given to the players, but the Washington Post reported that the charges have been reduced.
It seems likely that the three players will receive some sort of punishment from the university and could potentially miss more time for the Bruins. UCLA returns to action on Wednesday against Central Arkansas.
