There's at least one person who believes the Ball brothers can play international basketball.

His name is Russ Smith, a professional basketball player in Chinese National Basketball League.

LiAngelo Ball was caught shoplifting with two other UCLA teammates during a trip to China and subsequently suspended from the school. LaVar Ball took LaMelo out of Chino Hills.

Both of those events led the Ball brothers to hire an agent, and there is already talk of the two players joining the same team somewhere overseas. But many believe no team would take a chance on the Ball brothers, partly because of what happened in China.

But Smith believes differently, per Bryan Kalbrosky of Hoopshype.

Smith, who is based in China, does not feel the same way about LiAngelo. He feels confident that if the family helped the community, they would be welcomed back despite the controversial incident.

“China is a very forgiving place,” Smith said. “I feel like if he were to come here and do some positive things as far as camps or a clinic or something, it will all be forgotten as far as China goes.”

Smith would know better than anyone other there about whether or not a Chinese team would sign the Ball brothers. But at this point, only time will tell.