Australian teenager Ben Simmons has lived up to a huge endorsement from basketball legend Magic Johnson by leading Louisiana State University to their biggest win of the season.
LSU crushed US college basketball's ninth-ranked team, the University of Kentucky, 85-67, on Tuesday in Baton Rouge.
Simmons had early foul trouble but came back in the second-half to guide LSU to the win and confirm his place as the expected top pick in June's NBA Draft.
"LSU's Ben Simmons is the best all around player I've seen since LeBron James came out of high school straight to the NBA!" Johnson tweeted before the game.
"Whatever team selects Ben Simmons, will be getting a player that will have an immediate impact on their squad!"
The 208cm Simmons has often been compared to Johnson, a five-time NBA champion and three-time NBA MVP, because of his rare combination of size, ball skills and passing ability.
Johnson's high praise will only strengthen his favouritism to be the top NBA Draft pick in June and, quite possibly, by 1979 No.1 draft pick Johnson's former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
LSU have won five of their last six games and Simmons, with 14 points and 10 rebounds, had his 11th double double of the season.
The 19-year-old from Melbourne averaged 20.5 points and 13.1 rebounds before the game, but sat out 11 minutes of the first half against Kentucky with the two early fouls.
LSU guard Tim Quarterman, with 21 points and 10 rebounds and forward Craig Victor, with 15 points and 12 rebounds, stepped up in Simmons' absence.
"I believe in my team-mates and we are working hard to get to the top," Simmons said.
Kentucky also has two potential top 10 draft picks in centre Skal Labissiere and guard Jamal Murray and are coached by one of US college basketball's elite coaches, John Calipari.
The win could catapult LSU back into the NCAA rankings and in contention to qualify for the NCAA tournament, something that appeared unlikely just weeks ago when they lost three consecutive games.
