UCLA players arrested in China thank Donald Trump for his assistance

Tom Schad | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption UCLA players apologize for shoplifting, thank Trump Three UCLA basketball players have been suspended indefinitely following their shoplifting incident in China. The players apologized and thanked President Trump for his role in helping them return to the U.S.

The three UCLA basketball players who were arrested in China for shoplifting last week each individually thanked President Donald Trump for helping bring them home.

In a press conference Wednesday, LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley issued individual apologies after returning to the United States on Tuesday night, a week after being arrested in Hangzhou, China. And as part of their apologies, each player mentioned Trump, who wondered on Twitter earlier Wednesday whether he would receive their thanks.

"To President Trump and the United States government, thank you for taking the time to intervene on our behalf," freshman Riley said. "We really appreciate you helping us out."

Hill mentioned the Chinese police in his statement.

MORE: Three UCLA players indefinitely suspended after shoplifting incident in China

MORE: President Trump tweets arrested UCLA players 'were headed for 10 years in jail'

"I would like to thank everyone involved in this whole ordeal," Hill said. "Thank you to the police department, which treated us very well. Thank you to the Pac-12 and the whole UCLA community that helped us the whole way. And thank you to the United States government and President Trump for your efforts to bring us home."

Ball, younger brother of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball, is the most high-profile member of the group.

"I would also like to thank President Trump and the United States government for the help they provided, as well," Ball said.

UCLA basketball players detained for shoplifting in China thank Pres. Trump for his help in bringing them home: "We really appreciate you helping us out." https://t.co/YdBGH65S4m pic.twitter.com/AmkGkIG2kC — ABC News (@ABC) November 15, 2017

Trump posted on Twitter earlier Wednesday that the three players were "headed for 10 years in jail" and asked if they would "say thank you President Trump." Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Tuesday that he had spoken with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, about the players' case in an effort to ensure their safe return.

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

UCLA coach Steve Alford said in the press conference that the three players have been suspended indefinitely and will not be permitted to travel or practice with the team while the university reviews the matter.

Alford also thanked Trump for his assistance.

"I can't thank enough the incredible folks here at UCLA, at the Pac-12 and even President Trump and his administration for the nonstop efforts to resolve this situation," he said.

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