Los Angeles, Nov 15 (AP) Three UCLA basketball playersdetained in China on suspicion of shoplifting returned home,where they may be disciplined by the school as a result of theinternational scandal.
Freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley arrivedat Los Angeles International Airport late Tuesday afternoonafter a 12-hour flight from Shanghai. They ignored reporters'shouted questions while making their way through a horde ofmedia outside and getting into a van that took off from thedeparture level.
Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said the matter "has beenresolved to the satisfaction of the Chinese authorities."The players were detained in Hangzhou for questioningfollowing allegations of shoplifting last week before the23rd-ranked Bruins beat Georgia Tech in their season-openinggame in Shanghai as part of the Pac-12 China game. The rest ofthe UCLA team returned home last Saturday.
A person with knowledge of the Pac-12's decision said anydiscipline involving the trio would be up to UCLA. The personspoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymitybecause the conference doesn't plan any sanctions.
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said the school is weighingits options.
"I want to be clear that we take seriously any violationsof the law," he said in a statement. "In this particular case,both Athletics and the Office of Student Conduct will reviewthis incident and guide any action with respect to theinvolved students. Such proceedings are confidential, whichlimits the specific information that can be shared."There was no immediate word on the trio's status for theteam's home opener Wednesday night against Central Arkansas.
The school said the three players, along with coach SteveAlford and athletic director Dan Guerrero, will make theirfirst public comments about the matter at a campus newsconference Wednesday, but won't take questions.
Scott thanked President Donald Trump, the White House andthe State Department for their efforts in resolving what hecalled "the incident with authorities in Hangzhou, China." Heindicated that UCLA made "significant efforts" on behalf ofits athletes.
It wasn't clear under what terms the players were freedto return to the US.
"We are all very pleased that these young men have beenallowed to return home to their families and university,"Scott said.
Trump said Tuesday he had a long conversation about thethree players' status with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Ball, Hill and Riley were expected to have an immediateimpact as part of UCLA's highly touted recruiting class.
Instead, they are being talked about solely for their actionsoff the court.(AP)AMS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.