The mother of WA basketball star Alex Condon has lauded his ability to handle the pressure of big moments after he again produced massive defensive plays when the game was on the line during March Madness to help Florida Gators to win through to the NCAA Championship game.

Condon was influential in the second half as Florida fought back from nine points down against Auburn during the Final Four match to win 79-73. He took a charge with 2:44 remaining in the game when his team was up by one point and then made a desperate defensive effort inside the final minute to force Chad Baker-Mazara into an error as he attempted a three pointer.

Those efforts came after the West Aussie produced a huge block earlier in the second half.

His mum Leah Broderick, who swam for Australia at the Commonwealth Games, said Condon had a rare ability to stay calm when pressure mounted.

“He’s very good under pressure. He’s just got the maturity to be able to stay very focused,” Broderick told The West Australian.

“It’s something that has definitely developed with experience. During his time with Robbie McKinlay at the AIS, he was given high expectations and they demanded high standards. He gained so many valuable skills.

“I’m so proud of him. It’s a dream come true for Alex.”

Broderick credited Alex’s defensive focus to the competitive nature of his entire life. She said he’d always treated games family members seriously and had an overwhelming desire to win.

Dreams of it being an All-Australian final ended in heartache when Tyrese Proctor’s Duke gave up a 14-point lead in the second half to lose 70-67 to Houston.

Broderick is confident her son will continue to handle the pressure of big moments and won’t allow the enormity of the occasion to get to him on Tuesday.

“He’s pretty level headed and pretty calm and he’s always been receptive to feedback. This year he has taken on going to yoga sessions to help him with relaxation. There’s so much support at Florida that he’s been able to tap into so I think he is really well equipped to handle the stress of it all,” she said.