Three UCLA college basketball players detained in China for shoplifting publicly apologized Wednesday and thanked President Donald Trump for helping secure their release and repatriation.
Trump had personally asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping to intervene to free freshmen LiAngelo Ball -- the younger brother of Los Angeles Lakers rookie star Lonzo Ball -- and teammates Cody Riley and Jalen Hill, who were arrested last Tuesday in Hangzhou.
"I would like to thank President Trump and the United States government for the help that they've provided as well," LiAngelo Ball said in a press conference on Wednesday.
"To President Trump and the United States government, thank you for taking the time to intervene on our behalf," Riley said. "We really appreciate you helping us out."
Earlier in the day, Trump tweeted whether the players would thank him.