LiAngelo Ball Reportedly Could Face 3-10 Years in Jail for Shoplifting in China

UCLA Bruins guard LiAngelo Ball and two other Bruins basketball players could serve three to 10 years in prison if convicted of shoplifting during a team trip to China, an unnamed lawyer told Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel Tuesday.

Wetzel also spoke to William Nee, an Amnesty International researcher who is familiar with the Chinese court system. Nee noted Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill could also be detained without bail for over a month.

"I would say they could be in quite a bit of trouble if they have solid proof that they shoplifted," Nee said of the players' situation. "However, part of it will depend on whether their lawyers, the university, or the U.S. consulate can advocate and negotiate on their behalf."

ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman reported authorities took the players into custody about an alleged robbery at a Louis Vuitton store that's close to the hotel at which the UCLA team is staying.

According to Goodman, roughly 20 Chinese police officers interrogated players from both UCLA and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, the Bruins' opponents on Friday night, at the Hangzhou Hyatt in Hangzhou, China.

UCLA provided a statement to Goodman: "We are aware of a situation involving UCLA student-athletes in Hangzhou, China. The University is cooperating fully with local authorities on this matter, and we have no further comment at this time."

Ball, the brother of Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball, played 16 minutes and scored 11 points in UCLA's 111-80 exhibition win over Cal State Los Angeles on Nov. 1.