Ivan Pepe, then 18, was estimated speeding at a minimum of 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone when he lost control of his car which slid onto a nature strip, into a power box and became airborne.

Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday that by the time the car came to rest on its roof, it had smashed the box, struck two brick fences and a tree and damaged four parked vehicles.

Prosecutor Aggy Kapitaniak told the court that Pepe's early morning crash on April 6 last year was a serious example of a charge of reckless conduct endangering serious injury that he pleaded guilty to.

Ms Kapitaniak said Pepe — a champion bocce player who represents Australia — admitted he knew the orientation of the road in Endeavour Hills and the speed limit.

She submitted that while a community corrections order (CCO) was a sentencing option, a conviction was warranted for Pepe, who has no prior convictions, and also a loss of licence longer than the minimum 12 months.

Defence lawyer Katarina Ljubicic urged magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg not to convict Pepe, a fast food store manager and student studying fitness, sport and recreation who hopes to become a teacher.

Ms Ljubicic said Pepe, now 19, was held in high regard at work and by teachers, was a community contributor and team leader.

When asked by Mr Rozencwajg how this equated with his behaviour on the morning, she replied the conduct was out of character, to which he responded: "It can't be out of character when you do something deliberately."

She said it was a serious one-off incident, Pepe's recklessness was deliberate in having a friend as a passenger, but had not involved alcohol, drag racing or hooning.

Ms Ljubicic submitted her young client had shown "extraordinary insight" into his offending which had had a "profound impact on him".

She said a conviction for such a serious offence may have a impact on Pepe's plans to continue to represent Australia overseas in bocce for which he had been a "good ambassador".

Mr Rozencwajg responded that they were "all matters he was well aware of before he got behind the wheel and planted his foot".

He agreed with Ms Kapitaniak it was a serious example of the offence and commented that if the passenger had been seriously injured "or worse" that "we would be talking about years in jail".

Given the risk factors, the endangerment and the aggravating feature of an inexperienced driver, a conviction was called for, he decided.

Mr Rozencwajg put Pepe on a 12-month community corrections order, with conviction and with conditions he undergo an offender behaviour program and a road trauma awareness program.

His licence was cancelled and he was disqualified from driving for 30 months and was also fined $4000.