LiAngelo Ball And 2 UCLA Teammates Arrested For Shoplifting In China

UCLA Bruins freshman LiAngelo Ball, brother of Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball, along with two teammates, were arrested Tuesday for shoplifting from a high-end retail shop in Hangzhou, China. Players from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets were also detained ahead of the third annual Pac-12 China match Friday against the Bruins in Shanghai.

According to ESPN Insider Jeff Goodman, LiAngelo Ball and Bruins teammates Jalen Hill and Cody Riley were arrested for shoplifting from a Louis Vuitton store near the team’s hotel. Authorities searched the UCLA team bus luggage compartment while players awaited practice.

UCLA released a statement regarding the matter.

"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," team spokesman Alex Timiraos said.

Chinese police arrived at both the UCLA and Georgia Tech hotels and investigated the scene, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. A source close to the incident told ESPN that 20 police officers arrived at the Hyatt Hangzhou around 8 a.m. and questioned all players involved.

The investigation caused an interruption in both team’s scheduled practices. Police detained players from both teams and prohibited contact with team officials.

Georgia Tech told ESPN that the school's freshmen players Jose Alvarado and Jon Brown, along with sophomore Justin Moore, were questioned and released.

"During the questioning, it was determined that Georgia Tech student-athletes were not involved in the activities being investigated," the statement read. "They will rejoin the team on Tuesday and resume their scheduled activities in advance of Saturday’s season opener vs. UCLA in Shanghai."

Ball, Riley and Hill are part of a UCLA recruiting class that has been ranked top five in the nation.