LaVar Ball On Son LiAngelo's Shoplifting Arrest: 'It Ain't That Big A Deal'

Outspoken basketball dad LaVar Ball claimed his son LiAngelo Ball’s shoplifting charges "ain't that big a deal." LiAngelo Ball and two other UCLA players were arrested for allegedly stealing from a high-end retailer in China and if convicted could face serious jail time.

"I’m going to wait until I get more intel on what’s going on," LaVar Ball told ESPN’s Arash Markazi Wednesday as he and his family left their Shanghai hotel. "He’ll be fine. Everyone’s making it a big deal. It ain’t that big a deal."

LiAngelo Ball and his UCLA teammates, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley, were released on bail Wednesday after they were apprehended Tuesday in Hangzhou. Local police restricted the players to their hotel rooms until further notice.

The UCLA basketball team is in China while preparing for their season-opener Saturday against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The three UCLA players, as well as players from Georgia Tech, were held and questioned about an alleged theft from a Louis Vuitton luggage shop near the team's hotel in Shanghai.

If LiAngelo Ball and his two teammates are found guilty, they could face up to 10 years in prison, Chinese attorney Jeremy Daum told Yahoo Sports Dan Wetzel. If the players do not fight their charges, they could be hit with a lighter sentence.

"Returning the goods, expressing remorse, admitting guilt and accepting fault and punishment can all reduce the sentence; and with a first-time offense will be important mitigating factors," Daum said. "I suspect that there are political calculations involved here as well, yes, and the embassy can pursue diplomatic channels."

Suspects arrested in China are typically held for a month before being indicted, William Nee, a researcher for Amnesty International told Yahoo Sports.

"I would say they could be in quite a bit of trouble if they have solid proof that they shoplifted," Nee said. "However, part of it will depend on whether their lawyers, the university, or the U.S. consulate can advocate and negotiate on their behalf."

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said he is aware of the incident and that UCLA is currently working with local authorities.

"We are very disappointed by any situation that detracts from the positive student-athlete educational and cultural experience that this week is about," Scott said. "Whether in the United States or abroad, we expect our student-athletes to uphold the highest standards. We will continue to closely monitor the situation."