NBA-bound American LaMelo Ball launched the Australian component of his burgeoning basketball career with a promising debut for the Wollongong Hawks in a NBL pre-season clash on Saturday night.
Ball notched 12 points as the Hawks claimed a comfortable 110-87 at the Snakepit.
The 18-year-old also weighed in with six rebounds, five assists and two steals while 645-game NBA veteran Aaron Brooks chipped in with 12 points.
Todd Blanchfield racked up a team-high 14 points - including four-of-seven three point attempts; All-Stars guard William Hickey led the underdogs with a game-high 25 point haul.
New Hawks coach Matt Flinn rotated his squad as 14 players made the score sheet in an entertaining clash, the first of six pre-season matches.
In a fast-paced opening quarter, the All-Stars jumped out of the blocks to lead 20-16 midway through the term before the Hawks closed the period on a 20-7 run - fuelled by two three-pointers by Ball - to go into quarter-time up 36-27.
The hosts' tight defence in the second quarter saw them stretch their advantage to 62-45 at the main break, with Brooks pacing the Hawks with 12 points for the half.
The Hawks' strong shooting - they nailed 51 per cent from the field and 92 per cent from the free throw line - through the first three quarters allowed them to build an impregnable 20 point lead heading into the final term.