UCLA

LiAngelo Ball and both of his UCLA basketball teammates just FULLY ADMITTED to stealing in China ... and THANKED President Donald Trump for getting them back to the U.S.

Ball -- along with Cody Riley and Jalen Hill -- spoke to the media for the first time since being arrested in Hangzhou for stealing sunglasses from Louis Vuitton.

As TMZ Sports reported, the guys stole from MULTIPLE STORES -- not just Louis Vuitton -- and LiAngelo Ball acknowledged that in his apology.

"I'm sorry for stealing from the stores in China."

All three men said they were extremely sorry for shoplifting -- didn't dispute the allegations one bit -- and promised they will redeem themselves moving forward.

Each player thanked Trump by name for the work he did behind the scenes.

Head coach Steve Alford announced all 3 players are suspended indefinitely -- will not practice, suit up or travel with the team until a complete review is done by school officials.

Sounds like there is a chance the guys will still be allowed to play this season -- as Alford did not give a timeline for their return.

LiAngelo Ball might just be the answer to world peace ... 'cause Al Sharpton is actually BACKING Donald Trump after POTUS' involvement in the LiAngelo-China saga.

"I think that President Trump speaking to (President) Xi to make whatever arrangements were made ... was good," Sharpton told TMZ Sports in NYC. "He did the right thing."

But, don't expect to see Donald and Al hitting the links anytime soon ... 'cause Sharpton says "even a broke clock is right twice a day."

Also, probably worth noting that we got Sharpton BEFORE Trump publicly demanded 'Gelo and his UCLA bros show him some love.

Still ... it's a start.

Donald Trump has a message to the UCLA basketball players who got out of China -- SHOW ME SOME DAMN LOVE!!!

"Do you think the three UCLA basketball players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!" Trump tweeted.

Earlier this week, it was reported Trump personally spoke with the President of China to help free LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley after they were arrested for shoplifting in Hangzhou.

The players were released from China on Tuesday and touched down in L.A. late Tuesday night. They're expected to address the media Wednesday at 11 AM PT.

LiAngelo Ball and his 2 UCLA basketball teammates are finally back on U.S. soil after getting the green light to leave China ... one week after they were arrested for jacking sunglasses.

TMZ Sports has video of Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley leaving LAX moments ago following a 13-hour flight out of Shanghai ... the guys stay straight-faced and mostly silent as they're hit with a barrage of questions and camera flashes from reporters.

The players had been holed up at the Hyatt Hangzhou -- while some of the most powerful people in the world, from President Trump to President Xi to Jack Ma, worked on their release.

Chinese officials reportedly dropped the shoplifting charges on Tuesday and allowed the guys to return home. UCLA says the school will launch its own investigation to decide whether or not to discipline the players.

Been a hell of a week. And with reports saying they could've faced 10 years in Chinese prison, guessing they're all gonna sleep pretty well tonight.

LiAngelo Ball's still got 1 person 100% behind him after his embarrassing arrest in China -- and we're not talkin' about LaVar, Lonzo or LaMelo.

LiAngelo's high school sweetheart, Isabella "Izzy" Morris, just shared a pic of her and 'Gelo with the caption, "Old pic, same love" ... essentially confirming she's stickin' by her man through the hard times.

Her timing's pretty on point -- the middle Ball bro is literally in the air flying back from Shanghai ... after Donald Trump hit up Chinese President Xi Jinping to help bring LiAngelo and his 2 UCLA teammates back to the States.

LiAngelo Ball's a free man, but it ain't got a damn thing to do with Donald Trump -- so says Lil Yachty.

We got Yachty at LAX ... and the rapper told us LiAngelo's about to be back in the U.S. 'cause of his Big Baller bankroll -- NOT 'cause Trump hit up the President of China.

"F**k Donald Trump, bro. Nobody give a f**k about Donald Trump," Yachty told TMZ Sports. "It's money, bro -- you got money, you can get outta anything."

Yachty would know after blowing up this past year -- though that didn't stop him from asking LaVar for some free BBB merch!!

TMZ Sports has obtained video of LiAngelo Ball and his 2 UCLA teammates at the Pudong International Airport in Shanghai minutes before boarding their flight to the United States.

Ball -- along with Jalen Hill and Cody Riley -- were dressed in sweats and sporting UCLA team backpacks and sneakers as they made their way toward the boarding area Tuesday evening (local time).

The person who shot the video says the guys appeared pretty relaxed -- and it's reflected in the video.

All 3 men were arrested last Tuesday for allegedly shoplifting at Louis Vuitton and reportedly faced up to 10 years in Chinese prison if convicted.

Donald Trump, President Xi Jinping and Jack Ma were all involved -- and tried to get the charges reduced. They were successful -- all charges were dropped.

The LiAngelo Ball shoplifting arrest was NOT captured by the family's reality TV crew -- and now producers are debating whether to even cover the arrest on the show at all, TMZ Sports has learned.

"Ball in the Family" producers initially sent cameras to China to document the family as they support LiAngelo during his first game with the UCLA basketball team. LaVar and LaMelo were also on the trip. It was supposed to be the usual zany Ball family drama.

But we're told LiAngelo's trip to the Louis Vuitton store was NOT on the production schedule -- and there was no crew in tow when he (and two teammates) allegedly jacked expensive sunglasses.

We're told the subsequent police raid on the team hotel -- which resulted in LiAngelo's arrest -- was also NOT captured by the reality show cameras.

Instead, the TV crew followed LaVar and the rest of the family on several China outings -- from sightseeing to shoe promotions.

Here's the problem ... LaVar has already reportedly gotten LiAngelo in deeper trouble by publicly downplaying the incident. He was reportedly told to shut his mouth and keep a low profile on the matter until the legal issue is resolved.

So, to shoot ... or not to shoot? That is the question for the reality show.

Obviously, producers know covering LiAngelo while he's being investigated would be reality gold -- but it could also send the wrong message to Chinese officials that he's not taking the matter seriously.

One "Ball in the Family" source says show honchos are still trying to come up with a plan -- "It's too early to say how, or if, the incident will be covered in the show."

If LiAngelo is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison -- or as little as 20 days under house arrest in the team's luxury hotel.

LiAngelo Ball has got 2 powerful forces trying to secure his release from China ... UCLA and Alibaba founder Jack Ma ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Ball and 2 other UCLA basketball players are currently under house arrest after allegedly stealing sunglasses at Louis Vuitton.

Our UCLA sources tell us, the University has deep ties with China for various reasons, and school officials are using their influence to try and secure the release of the 3 players. As for the nature of the influence ... UCLA is a prize school for Chinese students, many doctors have won research projects at the various UCLA medical facilities and UCLA sports has become popular in China.

We're also told Jack Ma -- a Chinese citizen worth an estimated $40 billion -- is also working to help free the 3 players. FYI, the team visited Alibaba headquarters Monday ... the day before the arrests.

Our UCLA sources also say there is no question the players pilfered the sunglasses so there's no attempt to prove them not guilty ... they are trying to use their considerable influence to ask for mercy. As once source put it, "UCLA and Ma are pulling out all the political stops to resolve this."

The LiAngelo Ball arrest is no joke -- it's really scary -- and ex-Lakers player Devean George says the entire Ball family better be taking the situation seriously.

"I'm scared for him," George tells TMZ Sports ... "You gotta be real careful when you're doing stuff overseas."

Of course, George played 11 seasons in the NBA -- won 3 rings with the Lakers -- and says he's also concerned for Lonzo Ball ... because it's virtually impossible for Zo not to be distracted by his bro's legal situation.

The U.S. State Dept. tells TMZ Sports they are aware of the LiAngelo Ball, UCLA shoplifting arrests in China ... and are ready to step in if called upon.

‎"We are aware of reports of three U.S. citizens arrested and subsequently released on bail in China," a State Dept. official tells us.

"We stand ready to provide appropriate consular assistance for U.S. citizens. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment.‎"

As we previously reported, LiAngelo -- along with UCLA basketball teammates Jalen Hill and Cody Reily -- were arrested for allegedly jacking merchandise from a Louis Vuitton store near the team hotel.

LiAngelo Ball -- and his 2 UCLA basketball teammates -- have been released from jail in China after being arrested for shoplifting ... but they're NOT allowed to leave the team hotel.

Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill were released on bail early Wednesday morning, according to ESPN's Arash Markazi, who is covering the team in China.

The 3 college hoops players are accused of stealing from a Louis Vuitton store next to the team hotel in Hangzhou just days before UCLA is scheduled to play Georgia Tech in Shanghai on Friday.

Per the terms of their bail, all 3 players have been ordered to stay at the team hotel in Hangzhou until the case has been adjudicated -- which could take days, weeks or months, according to Markazi.

As for LiAngelo's father, LaVar Ball told Markazi he's not worried -- "He'll be fine. Everybody's making it a big deal. It ain't a big deal."

Justin Bieber laced up his cleats, popped off his shirt, and got really pumped up while playing soccer with his bros.

The Biebs hit up UCLA's campus Tuesday afternoon for a pickup game on one of the soccer fields, and at one point was standing at full attention calling out a play.

We're told several college students gathered around the field to watch JB in action and get a peek at his new torso tattoo ... and he put on quite a show.

LiAngelo Ball -- along with 2 of his UCLA basketball teammates -- were arrested for shoplifting during a team trip to China, according to ESPN.

The UCLA basketball team was out in Hangzhou before their game with Georgia Tech on Friday.

Ball and his teammates allegedly jacked merchandise from a Louis Vuitton store next to the team hotel. According to ESPN's Jeff Goodman, players Cody Riley and Jalen Hill have also been arrested.

UCLA issued a statement to TMZ Sports saying, "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."

LiAngelo Ball is the middle son in the ball family. His younger brother LaMelo Ball is expected to play at UCLA when he becomes college eligible. His older brother Lonzo currently plays for the Lakers.

High school or no high school, LaMelo Ball is gonna kill it for UCLA -- so says Bruin legend Tracy Murray ... who tells TMZ Sports it's still all about Ball in Westwood.

We talked to Murray, a 2-time All-Pac-10 player for UCLA and current announcer for the team -- and he told us LaVar's decision to take LaMelo out of HS won't change a damn thing when it comes to college.

"He's already committed to UCLA. With that already happening why play HS basketball when you already know where you're going?"

Some people have expressed concern that LaMelo might miss critical development as a player if he missed the last 2 years of school, but Murray says there's something else that's more important.

"The only thing that really matters at this point is that he's taking college prep courses that prepare him for UCLA."

The players on UCLA's men's basketball team ran into some super stars before a summer work out this holiday weekend ... none other than Kanye West and 2 Chainz!

The team rolled into the university's Wooden Center gym for a scheduled practice Monday, only to find 'Ye, 2 Chainz and some of their friends warming up the court with a game of their own.

The team did not play with the 2 rap stars, but rather just talked and posed for some pics ... including one of 'Ye with head coach Steve Alford.

As we reported ... Kanye had 2 Chainz and his family over for dinner Sunday night.