The sports, college and UCLA Basketball community reacted to President Donald Trump’s tweet regarding the Bruins detained in China and it got some attention.
The three UCLA Basketball players that have caused an international incident are indebted to a lot of people that have helped them leave China after being detained by authorities for allegedly shoplifting from three Hangzhou retail outlets.
RELATED: Charges dropped for Bruins in China
One of them is United States President Donald Trump.
Since this incident made international headlines in the last week, it was speculated that freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley would have to stay in China for up to two weeks while the legal system ran its course with these three. It was also speculated that, if convicted, these players could see 3-10 years in a Chinese prison.
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
With the help of UCLA, the Pac-12 and the U.S. State Department, things were getting handled. The situation got a boost when Trump apparently got involved and sent a personal message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, asking him to also look into the situation.
That was on Monday. On Tuesday, Ball, Hill and Riley were reported to be heading home. Additionally, all charges against them being accused of shoplifting have been dropped and they were not deported, and allowed to leave on their own.
UCLA’s three players and head coach Steve Alford will be holding a press conference about the situation on Wednesday morning, where we could expect Ball, Hill and Riley apologize for their actions and thank several people for helping them in their time of need.
Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2017
Apparently that is not soon enough for Trump and the sports and college basketball community hand strong feelings about it.
So we see he only did this for accolades... 🤦🏾♂️ https://t.co/sLjQ2pHey2
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) November 15, 2017
No tweet in 2017 has more perfectly encapsulated the year for me. https://t.co/KuKfHEQhlc
— David Woods (@daviddavidwoods) November 15, 2017
1) We're (UCLA basketball, the 3 of them) a national embarrassment right now :/ 2) Every report out there said they were very, very, very likely not gonna really face hard time there. 3) Quit freaking begging for praise on everything. You will get it if you deserve it. Really. https://t.co/TDHQ339QE7
— Matt Wagner (@Matt_Wagner24) November 15, 2017
Never thought I'd see Trump have to tweet about UCLA while President. Yet here we are. https://t.co/kQxLaHId9h
— Peter Eric (@4thGenBruin) November 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/realdannysiegel/status/930830898450153473
if somebody doesn't stick a microphone in lavar ball's face today... https://t.co/ohBvr0f9gl
— bomani (@bomani_jones) November 15, 2017
This is so low on my list of concerns in life right now. Not sure why it’s so high for the president. https://t.co/dDNjlhFPXD
— Tanner Walters (@tannerbwalters) November 15, 2017
The national reality show returns from 12 days off with a humdinger of a cold open. https://t.co/6m3f26TeK7
— Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) November 15, 2017
What an absolutely appalling thing for the American president to say about American citizens https://t.co/Lfd2W9EYpm
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) November 15, 2017
Next: What suspensions should be given to the Bruins?
Go Joe Bruin will continue to cover this situation. The UCLA press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. PT.