Trump personally asked Xi Jinping to help resolve case of UCLA basketball players arrested in China
MANILA â President Trump  acknowledged Tuesday that  he  personally asked  his  Chinese counterpart  Xi Jinping  to help resolve the case of three UCLA men's basketball players who were arrested for shoplifting while in Hangzhou for a tournament last week.
âTheyâre working on it right now â  Trump  told reporters in reference to Chinese authorities as he prepared to return to Washington after a nearly two-week trip in Asia.  Trump  added that  he  hoped the detained players could be on their way home soon.
"Hopefully everything is going to work out "  Trump  said.
 Trump  raised the arrests during a two-day state visit to Beijing  arriving a day after the three freshman players were accused of stealing sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store next to the team's hotel  according to people familiar with the conversation. Guard LiAngelo Ball  brother of Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Lonzo Ball  and forwards Cody Riley and Jalen Hill did not play in the team's victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday in Shanghai. They did not fly home with the team  and ESPN has reported that authorities have surveillance footage and that the players could be required to remain in Hangzhou for a week or two.
After  Trump  raised the matter  Xi promised to look into the case and ensure that the players are treated fairly and expeditiously  said a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Chief of Staff John F. Kelly has been in touch with the families of the players and has spoken with UCLA Coach Steve Alford  and Kelly remains in contact with Chinese authorities  the official added. This official indicated that charges against the players have been reduced and that the case is proceeding toward a resolution.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed in an email that  Trump  raised the matter with Xi. On Tuesday   Trump  told reporters in Manila that  he  indeed spoke with Xi about the case. Xi has âbeen terrific â  Trump  said. Asked if  he  expected a resolution soon   Trump  added: âHope so.â
[In Beijing   Trump  declines to hit President Xi Jinping on trade: âI donât blame Chinaâ]
News of the arrests was widespread  not only in the United States but also in China  breaking just a day before  Trump  arrived in the country.  The president  spent most of two days with Xi  a stay that included a tour of the Forbidden City  a state dinner and meetings. The two leaders discussed North Korea's nuclear threat  bilateral trade relations and a host of other issues. They made no public mention of the UCLA case.
 Trump  learned about the details of the case from aides  including Kelly  said the official familiar with the internal discussions. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also might have spoken about the case with  Trump   the official said.
âHopefully  [Trump]  helps  him   and everything works out â  he  said.
When asked when  he  thinks the situation could be resolved  and when  his  brother and teammates could return to the United States  Lonzo Ball said  âHopefully within the next week or two.â
MANILA â  [TGT] acknowledged Tuesday that  he  personally asked  his  Chinese counterpart  Xi Jinping  to help resolve the case of three UCLA men's basketball players who were arrested for shoplifting while in Hangzhou for a tournament last week.
âTheyâre working on it right now â   [TGT] told reporters in reference to Chinese authorities as  [TGT]  prepared to return to Washington after a nearly two-week trip in Asia.   [TGT]   added that   [TGT]   hoped the detained players could be on their way home soon.
"Hopefully everything is going to work out "   [TGT] said.
  [TGT] raised the arrests during a two-day state visit to Beijing  arriving a day after the three freshman players were accused of stealing sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store next to the team's hotel  according to people familiar with the conversation. Guard LiAngelo Ball  brother of Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Lonzo Ball  and forwards Cody Riley and Jalen Hill did not play in the team's victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday in Shanghai. They did not fly home with the team  and ESPN has reported that authorities have surveillance footage and that the players could be required to remain in Hangzhou for a week or two.
After   [TGT] raised the matter  Xi promised to look into the case and ensure that the players are treated fairly and expeditiously  said a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Chief of Staff John F. Kelly has been in touch with the families of the players and has spoken with UCLA Coach Steve Alford  and Kelly remains in contact with Chinese authorities  the official added. This official indicated that charges against the players have been reduced and that the case is proceeding toward a resolution.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed in an email that   [TGT] raised the matter with Xi. On Tuesday    [TGT] told reporters in Manila that   [TGT]   indeed spoke with Xi about the case. Xi has âbeen terrific â   [TGT] said. Asked if  he  expected a resolution soon    [TGT]   added: âHope so.â
[In Beijing    [TGT] declines to hit President Xi Jinping on trade: âI donât blame Chinaâ]
News of the arrests was widespread  not only in the United States but also in China  breaking just a day before   [TGT] arrived in the country.   [TGT] spent most of two days with Xi  a stay that included a tour of the Forbidden City  a state dinner and meetings. The two leaders discussed North Korea's nuclear threat  bilateral trade relations and a host of other issues. They made no public mention of the UCLA case.
  [TGT] learned about the details of the case from aides  including Kelly  said the official familiar with the internal discussions. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also might have spoken about the case with  Trump   the official said.
âHopefully  [Trump]  helps  him   and everything works out â  he  said.
When asked when  he  thinks the situation could be resolved  and when  his  brother and teammates could return to the United States  Lonzo Ball said  âHopefully within the next week or two.â