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.
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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.
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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.
Apparently that is not soon enough for Trump and the sports and college basketball community hand strong feelings about it.
https://twitter.com/realdannysiegel/status/930830898450153473
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Go Joe Bruin will continue to cover this situation. The UCLA press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. PT.