Freshman phenom (and likely #1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft) John Wall scored 25 points, including 12 of his team’s final 15 points, in a 64-61 win over UConn [highlights]. Dana O’Neil says that Wall lives up to the hype.

The latest chapter in Wall’s building biography of game-changers came against 12th-ranked Connecticut, his the fitting last dagger in an epic game. With 30 seconds left and Kentucky down 61-60, Wall took the ball on a toss back from Darius Miller and drove, splitting two defenders before going to the rim and banging bodies with Connecticut’s Alex Oriakhi.

Wall gives up 45 pounds to Oriakhi, all of which ended up in his right hip as he went up.

No matter.

Count the bucket, score the foul.

End the game, 64-61.

I caught Kentucky’s win against North Carolina and Wall looks like the real deal. He’s incredibly athletic and has a great feel for the game. He had a couple of jaw-dropping finishes against the Tar Heels — check out the video below.