LaMelo Ball became the youngest player in Australian National Basketball League history to record a triple-double, as the 18-year-old phenom poured in a game-high 32 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists to help the Illawarra Hawks beat Cairns 114-106 in overtime on Monday.

Ball's game-tying 3-pointer with six seconds left in regulation sent the game to overtime with the score 99-99, only to deal some more damage in the extra period:

ā€œPretty much I just believe in myself and my confidence levels is just really high, so every shot I take I feel like it's going in.ā€ said Ball after the game, according to The Australian Associated Press. ā€œI try to improve every day, pretty much, and just work my hardest.ā€

The projected top-five draft pick is on a two-year deal with Illawarra as part of the NBL's Next Stars program, which launched in March 2018.

Hawks head coach Matt Flinn gave the 18-year-old some high praise after the win:

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
LaMelo Ball in front of a Hornets logo with fire in his eyes and surrounded by fire

Jerry Donatien Ā·

LaMelo Ball net worth, LaMelo Ball, LaMelo Ball net worth 2023

Spencer See Ā·

Lavar Ball holding Lamelo's MB02 and shooting it in the trash.

Nathan Yasis Ā·

ā€œI think everyone saw tonight what he's capable of,ā€ said Flinn. ā€œWe see it pretty regularly in practice when the doors are closed, but it was really nice for him to get into a flow.

ā€œHe just impacts the game in so many different ways. It's exciting to be a part of and it's also the way he brings his teammates into the game as well. There's so many good players in this league, but the really great ones make everyone around them better, and I think we saw tonight he can bring other people into the game.ā€

Ball has dazzled NBA scouts since going to Australia to prepare for his big night in the upcoming NBA Draft. His stock has rapidly risen from a low-end first-rounder to one of the top picks of the lottery.