Three UCLA players, including freshman LiAngelo Ball, have been arrested in China on shoplifting charges,
According to ESPN:
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 at approximately 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.”
One source told ESPN that nearly 20 police officers came into the Hyatt Hangzhou at approximately 8 a.m. local time Tuesday and spoke to multiple players from both Georgia Tech and UCLA. The players, according to the source, were kept in a room for hours and not allowed to speak to any of the coaches.
“They weren’t messing around,” the source told ESPN. “The kids were scared.”
UCLA is in China for a season-opening game against Georgia Tech later this week.
