UCLA

LaVar Ball's decision to pull his son, LiAngelo, out of UCLA is a colossal mistake that could seriously HURT the 19-year-old in the long run -- so says UFC champ Tyron Woodley.

T-Wood rips into the Big Baller on the newest episode of "The Hollywood Beatdown" -- saying LaVar's parenting moves are selfish and out of whack ... and sends a damaging message to his kids.

"You're teaching [LiAngelo] a very bad lesson in life ... that if I don't like things, I run from it."

LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball are destined to be Lakers -- so says former UCLA star Shabazz Muhammad, who's got no doubt LaVar's master plan is gonna work to perfection.

We got Bazz out on Rodeo Drive before his T-Wolves crushed the Clippers on Wednesday ... and he told us he's known the Ball boys for years -- and thinks both Gelo and Melo have what it takes to team with Lonzo in L.A.

"Think so, man" Muhammad told TMZ Sports, when we asked if LiAngelo could cut it in the NBA. "I think they gonna play all on the same team, too."

16-year-old LaMelo Ball has signed with sports agent Harrison Gaines and will NOT play college ball at UCLA, his father told ESPN.

LaVar Ball had pulled LaMelo out of Chino Hills High School earlier this year and said he was going to train the kid himself to get him ready for UCLA.

But now, with LaMelo's older brother, LiAngelo Ball, in the middle of a nasty breakup with UCLA (after the China shoplifting incident) ... LaVar has decided both sons will play professionally overseas.

"I don't care about the money," LaVar Ball told Jeff Goodman ... "I want them to go somewhere where they will play them together on the court at the same time. The priority is for the boys to play on the same team."

LaVar told TMZ Sports this week that China is still a possible landing spot for the boys -- Chinese teams would be happy to have the Ball kids.

As for LaVar's oldest son, Lonzo Ball -- he claims the decision to pull LiAngelo out of UCLA was made by the entire family with LiAngelo's best interests in mind.

LaVar Ball tells TMZ Sports China would be PUMPED on his son, LiAngelo, coming back to their country to play pro ball ... now that he's done at UCLA.

We got LaVar and LiAngelo at LAX ... and the Big Baller dad told us the door's wide open for his middle child to hoop in the same place he was ARRESTED for shoplifting last month.

"Of course! Why not?!" LaVar said, when we asked if China would welcome Gelo back. "They would be happy to have him."

LiAngelo wouldn't comment on a possible China reunion ... but quietly told us he's ready to take his talents overseas.

No matter how you feel about LiAngelo Ball ditching UCLA, leave 'Gelo out of it ... 'cause LaVar Ball didn't let his son call his own shot -- so says Rockets PG Briante Weber.

"Daddy rules, so he probably had no say-so," Briante told TMZ Sports outside Poppy in L.A. "He's really just following what his pops said."

Maybe, maybe not. In an interview on Tuesday, LaVar essentially said he made the decision for LiAngelo ... but added that they were "on the same page."

The Game has some strong advice for all those judging LaVar Ball's parenting tactics -- DON'T -- 'cause he says whatever the Ball family leader decides to do, it's in the best interest of his kids.

TMZ Sports spoke with the Compton rapper at Ace of Diamonds in West Hollywood about LaVar pulling LiAngelo outta UCLA ... and Game says no matter how he personally feels about the move, LaVar's doing what he thinks is best for his sons.

2:35 PM -- UCLA coach Steve Alford has addressed Gelo's departure, saying “We learned today of LiAngelo Ball’s intention to withdraw from UCLA. We respect the decision he and his family have made, and we wish him all the best in the future.

It's a stunning move ... LiAngelo Ball will no longer be on the UCLA basketball team and, in fact, he will not be a student at UCLA ... because his father, LaVar Ball, is removing him from the institution ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As you know, LiAngelo was indefinitely suspended from the team after he stole from several stores during a trip to China. LiAngelo was placed on house arrest but was sprung after Trump and others went to bat for him.

We're told LaVar believes the suspension was unfair, especially since the charges were dropped. LaVar's people tell TMZ Sports the famous dad thinks, "There's no need to break down a kid's spirit for making a mistake."

Our sources say LiAngelo is not officially withdrawn from the school but he's at home and will not return to UCLA.

LiAngelo was a freshman and never actually played a game for the team.

A family spokesperson added LiAngelo and Lavar appreciate UCLA for everything ... despite the circumstances that led to the suspension.

Story developing ...

Chip Kelly is getting the hard sell from one of the best talkers in football history ... who's telling TMZ Sports why Kelly should choose UCLA over Florida for his next coaching job.

Here's Freddie Mitchell ... aka FredEx ... aka former UCLA All-American ... who's spelling out why Westwood is the move, and Gainesville isn't.

Listen, we'd give you quotes on what Mitchell said, but the reality is he says stuff way better than we could write it (the dude is downright hilarious) and we don't wanna ruin it for you guys.

Michael Rapaport is pissed at Donald Trump -- saying POTUS has forced him to side with one of the people he hates most in this world ... LaVar Ball.

Rap and Ball have been trading shots for months -- with the Hollywood star once famously declaring, "Big Baller Brand shirts look uncomfortable as f**k."

But now with Trump blasting LaVar in the media for not thanking him for getting LiAngelo back from China ... Rapaport is begrudgingly joining Team Ball.

"Donald Trump. You're such a f**k."

"You're gonna take away the pleasure I get from talking sh*t about LaVar Ball?"

Rap says when it comes down to it, he and LaVar are just "talkin' sh*t" -- but Trump's a "threat to society."

Kobe Bryant's 11-year-old daughter is already getting treated like royalty by the top women's basketball program in in the world ... begging the question -- is UConn angling for Gianna Bryant?

Mamba and Mini-Mamba hit up Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Tuesday night to watch the Huskies take on UCLA. They sat courtside and they visited the players and head coach Geno Auriemma afterward.

The catch ... Gianna is a BALLER -- she's been training with her dad and learning all of his signature moves. Kobe has already dubbed her "Mambacita."

After the game, Kobe posted on social media -- "Thank you @uconnwbb for treating our baby girl to a night she will never forget #uconn."

Guessing UConn hopes Gianna remembers in about 6 years ...

Reeeeelax ... Donald Trump's mouthpiece says POTUS was only tweeting "rhetorically" when suggesting he should have left LaVar Ball's son in a Chinese jail.

Yep.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders just addressed the media ... and was asked about Trump's tweets in which he said LaVar was "unaccepting" of what he did for LiAngelo Ball and said, "I should have left them in jail."

When questioned at Monday's White House news conference, SHS said, "It was a rhetorical response to a criticism by the father."

"Frankly it didn't seem like the father wanted the President to intervene which I think would've been a sad thing if he hadn't."

3:46 PM PT -- Trump is continuing to stoke the flames against the Ball family. He just elaborated on his earlier tweet about leaving LiAngelo in a Chinese prison, saying he should've gotten him on his next trip to China.

Donald Trump has a new enemy -- LaVar Ball.

POTUS is lashing back at the outspoken basketball dad after LaVar dissed Trump during an ESPN interview a few days ago. LaVar cast doubt on Trump's role in freeing his son from China after LiAngelo and 2 UCLA basketball teammates shoplifted.

Trump took to Twitter Sunday morning and said ... "Now that the three basketball players are out of China and saved from years in jail, LaVar Ball, the father of LiAngelo, is unaccepting of what I did for his son and that shoplifting is no big deal. I should have left them in jail!"

So far no word back from LaVar -- but we're sure it's only a matter of time.

As for LiAngelo and his 2 teammates ... all 3 thanked President Trump after returning to the United States last week.

LaVar Ball tells TMZ Sports he expects to have an encounter with President Trump now that he's back in the U.S. ... and he expects it to go well.

"We're gonna run into each other. We'll be good," LaVar said after touching down at LAX Wednesday night with his youngest son, LaMelo.

The Big Baller was clearly being careful with his words -- and for good reason -- since his son LiAngelo is still in the middle of an international incident after shoplifting in China.

It seems LaVar is confident everything is going to be okay ... and he's using the media attention to put a spotlight on his favorite thing in the world -- Big Baller Brand!!!

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.