By Gabriel Ameh, The Sight News
Three UCLA basketball players who were arrested November 7 in Hangzhou, China, on suspicion of shoplifting have been suspended from the team.
President Trump reached out Thursday morning to the three UCLA players, LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley, and Jalen Hill whose arrest on shoplifting charges in China created an international incident, tweeting at them to “HAVE A GREAT LIFE!” and admonishing them that “there are many pitfalls on the long and winding road of life!”
Freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hall were suspended indefinitely Wednesday from the Bruins men’s basketball team after their arrest created a stir that involved Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
In his tweets Thursday, Trump added that the three should “give a big Thank You to President Xi Jinping, who made your release possible.”
UCLA Coach Steve Alford announced the suspension Wednesday at what the school billed as a news conference, but in reality was a series of statements from all three players, as well as Alford and Athletic Director Dan Guerrero.
None of the five took questions from the more than 50 reporters in attendance at Pauley Pavilion, where the Bruins were set to host Central Arkansas that evening.
