3 UCLA Players in Police Custody in China

[jpvegas52]

The three UCLA players are accused of shoplifting from a store in China. Players from Georgia Tech & UCLA were questioned, but the GT players were released. The 3 UCLA players are in police custody. I guess a night in a Chinese jail might not be too comfortable.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/21331147/ucla-players-liangelo-ball-cody-riley-jalen-hill-arrested-china-shoplifting

[MUAlphaBangura]

LiAngelo Ball involved. Let's all sit back and watch with a grin on our faces.

[TedBaxter]

LiAngelo Ball involved. Let's all sit back and watch with a grin on our faces.

It was probably racial profiling.:)

Seriously, these are 3 freshman who have probably done this before knowing they would get a slap on the wrist. This one, hopefully, may be a little different.

[Markedman]

It could be a lot different.

https://newsone.com/3757629/china-shoplifting-laws-liangelo-ball-arrested-punishment/

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

I think this goes one of two ways.

China may set an example and the three young men spend a decade in prison. I can see them not granting any leniency because it could make them look weak internationally and send a message they don't want to their people and the rest of the world. They may lose some future NCAA games or even NBA games as a result, but I'm not sure entertainment holds a comparable level of importance with government the way it does in the US.

Alternately, the state department gets involved and gets them released. I'm not sure three young men of that age should be forced into a prison where they don't speak the language for 3+ years, and if held it is something that would certainly make our government look weaker since this will be on the international stage. It's an interesting coincidence that President Trump is in China today and could likely extend that stay to tomorrow.

[Phantom Warrior]

"UCLA freshman LiAngelo Ball may have set a record for steals in the storied college basketball program’s history before even playing one game."

Clever line, but not all that funny.

Also, Big Mouth Papa had called a press conference before he was talked out of it. A press conference by the Big Mouth would have been interesting to say the least, though definitely not helpful for his son and the other players.

Regardless of how this turns out, it should never have happened.

[TheSultan]

The fact that Trump is in China right now could be very helpful for them.

[pbiflyer]

The fact that Trump is in China right now could be very helpful for them.

This may be their only hope. If they are relying on the state department, they are short on resources:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-accused-decapitating-leadership-state-department/story?id=51006690

The U.S.’s ranks of diplomats are losing key leaders at a “dizzying speed” as the State Department struggles to recruit talent amid a hiring freeze and sinking morale in the Trump administration, according to a new letter from a top ambassador.

Sixty percent of the agency’s career ambassadors, the highest rank for diplomats, have retired or quit since January. Nearly half of career ministers — the next level down and equivalent to the military’s three-star generals — are gone too, down to 19 from 33. The next-level minister counselors have seen their numbers drop by 62 diplomats since Labor Day alone “and are still falling,” writes Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, the president of the American Foreign Service Association union.

[Goose85]

This may be their only hope. If they are relying on the state department, they are short on resources:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-accused-decapitating-leadership-state-department/story?id=51006690

The U.S.’s ranks of diplomats are losing key leaders at a “dizzying speed” as the State Department struggles to recruit talent amid a hiring freeze and sinking morale in the Trump administration, according to a new letter from a top ambassador.

Sixty percent of the agency’s career ambassadors, the highest rank for diplomats, have retired or quit since January. Nearly half of career ministers — the next level down and equivalent to the military’s three-star generals — are gone too, down to 19 from 33. The next-level minister counselors have seen their numbers drop by 62 diplomats since Labor Day alone “and are still falling,” writes Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, the president of the American Foreign Service Association union.

Yep, this is where the it could get interesting. These guys need the career type state department people that know how such things work to get involved and go through the right channels for these players. Without the right representation it could be a tough road.

When you go to other countries, they don't care what we consider the level of a crime to be, you have to play by their rules which are almost always tougher than ours. For their sake I hope they can leave with the team.

[MUMac]

Yep, this is where the it could get interesting. These guys need the career type state department people that know how such things work to get involved and go through the right channels for these players. Without the right representation it could be a tough road.

When you go to other countries, they don't care what we consider the level of a crime to be, you have to play by their rules which are almost always tougher than ours. For their sake I hope they can leave with the team.

Agree with this take. When I first heard of this, had a bad feeling for these guys. Also question whether or not UCLA did a proper job of educating them as to their behaviors on international soil. If they had, really, really dumb of these guys to do this (not that it wasn't dumb on it's own right). If they had not, shame on them.

China is one tough place to get in trouble. They do not really care about the political view of this or international relations all that much. They care about their laws being followed by all - including international visitors. Leniency is likely not a word in the Chinese language.

[pbiflyer]

When you go to other countries, they don't care what we consider the level of a crime to be, you have to play by their rules which are almost always tougher than ours. For their sake I hope they can leave with the team.

I got to go to dinner and talk with a former Marquette student that learned that lesson the hard way. (http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/billy-hayes-convicted-drug-smuggler-tells-the-true-story-behind-midnight-express-20150324-1m6ole.html)

[IWB]

Story has been changing as no one really knows what the Chinese will do, but the last I read they are out on bail, confined to their hotel and its said that they can't leave until the process plays out - days, weeks or months, but it sounds like it could be a month.

[TedBaxter]

I've been very strong on my opinions on another board in regard to this and it probably didn't sit well with posters like Sultan. Just the idea of a kid with the last name Ball curbs my judgment a little.

I have zero tolerance for stealing of any kind. Told my kids if they ever got caught shoplifting and were picked up by the police, don't call me and be prepared to walk home whether it's a mile or 100 miles. The fact that these kids were on a paid international trip really makes it worse for me and I really could care less whether they have to sit in a Chinese hotel for a month waiting. They made their bed.

[IrwinFletcher]

Agree with this take. When I first heard of this, had a bad feeling for these guys. Also question whether or not UCLA did a proper job of educating them as to their behaviors on international soil. If they had, really, really dumb of these guys to do this (not that it wasn't dumb on it's own right). If they had not, shame on them.

China is one tough place to get in trouble. They do not really care about the political view of this or international relations all that much. They care about their laws being followed by all - including international visitors. Leniency is likely not a word in the Chinese language.

How about their parents?

[Nukem2]

I've been very strong on my opinions on another board in regard to this and it probably didn't sit well with posters like Sultan. Just the idea of a kid with the last name Ball curbs my judgment a little.

I have zero tolerance for stealing of any kind. Told my kids if they ever got caught shoplifting and were picked up by the police, don't call me and be prepared to walk home whether it's a mile or 100 miles. The fact that these kids were on a paid international trip really makes it worse for me and I really could care less whether they have to sit in a Chinese hotel for a month waiting. They made their bed.
Yep, no need for a slap on the wrist here. They did what they did.

[IrwinFletcher]

Agree with this take. When I first heard of this, had a bad feeling for these guys. Also question whether or not UCLA did a proper job of educating them as to their behaviors on international soil. If they had, really, really dumb of these guys to do this (not that it wasn't dumb on it's own right). If they had not, shame on them.

China is one tough place to get in trouble. They do not really care about the political view of this or international relations all that much. They care about their laws being followed by all - including international visitors. Leniency is likely not a word in the Chinese language.

Or their parents...

[TheSultan]

Yep, no need for a slap on the wrist here. They did what they did.

It depends on how you define "slap on the wrist."

[Nukem2]

It depends on how you define "slap on the wrist."
Slap on the wrist would be just letting them go home with the team when it leaves.

[TheSultan]

Slap on the wrist would be just letting them go home with the team when it leaves.


I would agree.

[Goose85]

Problem is, what we think of as a slap on the wrist, and what the Chinese authorities think of as a slap on the wrist may be two different things, both legally and culturally.

[Nukem2]

Problem is, what we think of as a slap on the wrist, and what the Chinese authorities think of as a slap on the wrist may be two different things, both legally and culturally.No question about that.

[pbiflyer]

Problem is, what we think of as a slap on the wrist, and what the Chinese authorities think of as a slap on the wrist may be two different things, both legally and culturally.

Looks like that is all they are getting.

[MUMac]

Looks like that is all they are getting.

Where have you seen this? All reports I have seen have said it could take months before anything is determined.

[Nukem2]

Bleacher Report had an article earlier today that they would get 20 days of “house arrest” (whatever that means) and would be permanently banned from China. Who knows.? Will be interesting to see UCLA’s ultimate action(s).

PS, Sports Illustrated is reporting that as well now.

[TheSultan]

Bleacher Report had an article earlier today that they would get 20 days of “house arrest” (whatever that means) and would be permanently banned from China. Who knows.? Will be interesting to see UCLA’s ultimate action(s).

PS, Sports Illustrated is reporting that as well now.


That is appropriate punishment in my mind. Now let's see what UCLA does.

[IWB]

Appropriate punishment? First off, its China - what do they usually do? Certainly not house arrest, from what I have read since this started, in China they may be held in prison for a month before they even go through their process. Whatever is appropriate is whatever they normally do.

Next - What is the punishment here in Milwaukee? If an adult black man shoplifts $200 worth of sunglasses and gets caught, what happens to him? Any attorneys/judges out there that know?

[pbiflyer]

Appropriate punishment? First off, its China - what do they usually do? Certainly not house arrest, from what I have read since this started, in China they may be held in prison for a month before they even go through their process. Whatever is appropriate is whatever they normally do.

Next - What is the punishment here in Milwaukee? If an adult black man shoplifts $200 worth of sunglasses and gets caught, what happens to him? Any attorneys/judges out there that know?

The police would treat him like a king.......Rodney King. :p

[Gato78]

Shoplifting, with no priors, likely to end up a municipal citation. This case could end up in circuit court with a probation resolution. Could be minor jail time, but not likely, depending on factors like prior record, attitude at time of arrest etc.

[IWB]

One question Gato, if an 18 year old adult does get caught shoplifting, once arrested, how long are they held before being released?

[Gato78]

Probably not held more than a few hours.

[Nukem2]

From reports, it seems that the five finger discounts were not limited to the Vuitton store. Sounds like they'll have a 1 or 2 week hiatus in China after the team leaves.

[IrwinFletcher]

I am curious to see if UCLA does anything else in terms of suspensions when the guys come back from their extended stay in China.

[TedBaxter]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/report-liangelo-ball-other-players-arrested-have-to-stay-in-china-for-a-week-or-two/

Update on situation.

There is a personal reason I have zero tolerance for anyone that steals or shoplifts. If it's a two week hiatus from the U.S., I hope it teaches them a lesson.