LaVar Ball: LiAngelo Ball's Arrest "Ain't That Big A Deal"

LiAngelo Ball and his two UCLA Bruins teammates were released on bail early this morning in China, after being arrested for shoplifting in Hangzhou, where they had been staying before leaving for Shanghai on Wednesday. While Ball and his teammates, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley, were released on bail, they will have to remain at a hotel in Hangzhou with a UCLA representative while the legal process plays out.

According to ESPN's Arash Markazi, that legal process could take as a little as a few days or up to several weeks, meaning Ball, Hill and Riley could be stuck in China for a month or more. They are allowed to roam wherever they want within the hotel, and people can go see them, but they can not leave the property until the legal process plays out.

According to Scout.com's Tracy Pierson, "China has a history of being pretty Draconian in instances of foreigners committing crimes in their country." Pierson says she spoke with several sources who believe the three players will remain in China for about a month.

That said, LaVar Ball didn't seem the least bit concerned when asked about his middle son's status this morning. ESPN's Arash Markazi posted a video of LaVar's response this morning when questioned about LiAngelo's shoplifting charges. In the video clip, LaVar says, "I'm going to wait until I get more intel on what's going on. He'll be fine. Everyone's making it a big deal. It ain't that big a deal."

Markazi notes that Ball, Hill and Riley are accused of stealing sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store which was next to the team hotel. The Bruins are in China this week, along with Georgia Tech, for their season opener which is scheduled for November 11th in Shanghai.

Both teams have already left Hangzhou for Shanghai.

LaVar Ball