Dick Vitale: UCLA players arrested for stealing in China should have to sit out season

Longtime ESPN college basketball analyst and icon Dick Vitale had strong words for the UCLA players arrested on suspicion of stealing during a team trip to China: He thinks they shouldn’t be allowed to play this season.

In the second half of the North Carolina-Michigan game on Wednesday night, Vitale was discussing Michigan’s schedule, which includes a matchup against UCLA.

UCLA’s record is 5-1 while the three freshman arrested (LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill) have been sitting out.

“UCLA ... Steve Alford’s got some talent down there, lost those three kids in that incredible scene down there in Shanghai,” he said. “(Those) kids (are) very lucky that they are not still in China. Multiple stores they stole from. It’s just embarrassing. Humiliating, representing their university in that fashion.

“If they play again this year, those kids, I say shame on you, UCLA. I really mean it; shame on you,” Vitale said. “I mean, there’s no way in the world. Have them practice, do what they can, go to class, give them a year, but they have to learn from that. You can’t just say as their dad said, ‘What is it, they just stole some sunglasses?’ Are you kidding me? Are you serious, LaVar Ball? What kind of parental advice is that to young people? Don’t get me started on that.”

This story was originally published November 30, 2017 at 2:42 PM with the headline "Dick Vitale: UCLA players arrested for stealing in China should have to sit out season."