UCLA freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill, and Codey Riley are back in the United States. The three had an extended stay in China after allegedly stealing sunglasses in a Louis Vuitton store last week. Fortunately for the group, they did not face any legal sanction. Many believe that one of the reasons for this was the intervention of United States President Donald Trump. Trump was in China last week, and he reportedly asked the nation's president, Xi Jinping, for help. It looked like Trump's effort paid off as the Bruins players headed back home.
However, rapper Lil Yachty thinks Donald Trump had nothing to do with China sparing LiAngelo Ball and his fellow UCLA rookies. TMZ recently caught up with Lil Yachty, who shared his thoughts regarding the release of Ball.
According to Lil Yachty, nobody cares about Donald Trump. He stated that it was Big Baller Brand (BBB) that freed LiaAngelo. Lil Yachty said BBB had the money to get the 18-year-old prospect out of trouble.
UCLA's responsibility
As of the moment, it remains unknown what punishment awaits LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill, and Codey Riley. UCLA is the one responsible for this, but the university is yet to make a decision. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block explained in a statement that they are going to review the incident.
Unfortunately, information regarding the investigation will likely be scarce as Block added, "Such proceedings are confidential, which limits the specific information that can be shared."
Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo! Sports suggested that suspension is the appropriate punishment UCLA could hand to LiAngelo Ball and company.
Eisenberg wrote that the ban must come with a warning, "that any further criminal behavior will result in expulsion."
UCLA schedule
After the drama, UCLA is set to take on Central Arkansas on November 15. The squad will stay in Los Angeles for another home game on November 15 versus South Carolina State. It is uncertain when LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill, and Codey Riley can rejoin the Bruins, though it seems they badly need the three.
In UCLA's 63-60 victory over Georgia Tech, the depth of the squad was exposed as only eight players saw action. Freshman guard Kris Wilkes led the way for the Bruins with 18 points. Wilkes' fellow freshman, Jaylen Hands, followed him with 14. Junior Aaron Holiday had 11 points with seven assists, while senior center Thomas Welsh added 10 points and eight boards.