LOS ANGELES _ UCLA basketball players LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill, who have been suspended indefinitely by the Bruins, apologized at a news conference Wednesday morning about the incident in China that had them stay behind on a team trip after they were accused of shoplifting.
At the end of the news conference, UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero said that the players each admitted guilt and that charges had been withdrawn by Chinese authorities. They had paid $2,200 bail, surrendered their passports and agreed to travel restrictions. The bail was refunded. UCLA paid the expenses incurred by the players who were left behind when the rest of the team returned home, but said they may seek reimbursement.
Cody Riley said: "I want to start off by saying how ashamed and embarrassed I am." He then took full responsibility for shoplifting.
Riley thanked President Donald Trump for intervening on the players' behalf. "We really appreciate you helping us out," he said.
Riley thanked various staff members and the Chinese police for the treatment they received.
Riley talked about what it meant to be a Bruin: "I can only hope that my actions, my words and my hard work in the weeks to come will show that I am capable of meeting that high standard.
"I can assure you that I will never do anything again to jeopardize UCLA's reputation or that of my own."
Ball spoke next. He apologized for stealing and to the people of China. "We're young men, but it's not an excuse for making a really stupid decision." Ball said he would not let the incident define him as a person. Ball also thanked Trump and the U.S. government for the help they provided. "I'm extremely sorry for those I let down."
Hill apologized to UCLA fans "because I feel like my actions have hurt them the most. What I did was stupid. There's no other way to put it and I am not that kind of person."
All three left after reading their statements.
Coach Steve Alford said UCLA had not been forthcoming with information during the process because public statements might have jeopardized the players' return from China.
"These are good young men who have exercised an inexcusable lapse of judgment and now they have to live with that," Alford said.
All three players have been suspended indefinitely as the university works through review process, Alford said.
Athletic director Dan Guerrero also expressed his disappointment. "We're very disappointed in the conduct of our three student-athletes. They know they made a huge mistake and as you can see they're deeply sorry for it," he said.
Guerrero said Alford met with the team before the trip and reminded them of expectations "to prevent a negative situation of any kind."
Trump had upped interest in the players' statements with a tweet earlier Wednesday wondering if they would thank him: "Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!"
