Recalling a Controversial Moment

LiAngelo Ball, the younger brother of NBA stars Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, recently shared his experience of being arrested in China during a UCLA basketball trip in 2017. The incident involved Ball and two of his teammates, who found themselves in hot water after being accused of stealing designer sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store.

Details of the Incident

At the age of 18, Ball ventured into a Louis Vuitton store located near the team hotel in Hangzhou, where he made a reckless decision to take a pair of sunglasses. During his appearance on the podcast “Unapologetically Angel” with Angel Reese, Ball reflected on the poor choices he made that day.

“I knew it was wrong,” Ball admitted. “I was in the wrong spot at the wrong time, just making quick decisions and doing dumb things. I can’t really explain it in a long-winded way. It’s been seven or eight years now, and I haven’t been in trouble since.”

Immediate Regret

Ball expressed that he felt remorseful the moment he left the store. “I couldn’t think of anything except that I knew things were going to go south,” he recalled. “Right after I left, I told my teammates, ‘Yeah, we’re done.’ I knew it was wrong.”

Presidential Intervention

The situation escalated to an international level, attracting attention from then-President Donald Trump, who reached out to Chinese President Xi Jinping for assistance in resolving the matter. Trump later issued a statement expressing gratitude for their release and advised the players to be cautious in their future endeavors.

“To the three UCLA basketball players, I say: You’re welcome, go out and give a big thank you to President Xi Jinping of China who made your release possible,” Trump wrote in 2017.

Aftermath of the Incident

Following his time at UCLA, Ball went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft. Instead of entering the NBA, he opted to play overseas in the Lithuanian Basketball League. He also played for the Los Angeles Ballers in the Junior Basketball Association, a league founded by their father, LaVar Ball.

From 2021 to 2023, Ball spent time in the NBA G-League, signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Detroit Pistons in 2020, but was waived shortly after. He had brief stints with the Charlotte Hornets in both 2021 and 2022 but was waived each time without seeing action in an NBA regular-season game.

The Ball Family in the NBA

While LiAngelo Ball continues to pursue his basketball career, his brothers LaMelo and Lonzo have made significant strides in the NBA. LaMelo plays for the Charlotte Hornets, while Lonzo is a member of the Chicago Bulls.

As LiAngelo reflects on his past, he remains hopeful for his future in basketball, determined to learn from his mistakes and carve out his own path.