JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) – Some may take a while to adjust, but Carlin Davison has been a personification of plug-and-play for a New Zealand team hungry for a breakthrough in the ongoing FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
All because he embraced his role fully the moment it was entrusted to him.
“It’s just the least I can do, you know,” offered the 1.98 M (6’5″) forward, who’s only turning 22 on August 21 – mere days after the continental spectacle in this city concludes. “Like, I don’t start, I come off the bench.”
“And I love the role that I play off the bench,” he added. “It’s awesome.”
Davison is playing in just his first-ever Asia Cup and there should be no denying how much he’s been wowing the live crowd – and fans online, too – with his ability to jump out of the gym due to his insane athleticism.
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Hopefully we can make history and make it to the Final.
But he’s not one who goes after highlight-worthy plays for the thrill of it whatsoever. It’s simply him providing that solid spark off the bench, bringing energy that sure rubs off on his fellow Tall Blacks on the court.
It’s that very mentality that led to a solid showing in their 100-78 victory over Iraq on Opening Day, notching 12 points and 8 rebounds plus a block as he helped lead their fourth-quarter breakaway for a strong debut.
That’s why it no longer came as a surprise when the coaches brought him in entering the homestretch of their most important game of the 2025 Asia Cup to date – a Quarter-Final meeting versus Lebanon Thursday.
With the game tied at 75-all and almost the entire King Abdullah Sports City siding with the Cedars, Davison powered the decisive 9-2 run that gave New Zealand the lead for good, 84-78, with only 1:18 left to play.
He led as much with a pair of dunks, the last of which proved too painful for their West Asian counterparts as he got fouled by Karim Zeinoun and went on to complete the three-point play to cap off the rousing rally.
The Taranaki Airs standout was also crucial in the closing seconds when he hauled down Amir Saoud’s missed triple in a bid to tie, eventually leading to free throws by Flynn Cameron to make it an 89-83 spread.
New Zealand won, 90-86.
“It’s just energy,” said Davison, who finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block. “Any way I can bring some energy. If I need to dunk it or lay it up, or stop, get rebounds, I’m just there for the team.”
Lebanon could only bow their heads in disappointment as the loss dashed all hopes of replicating their magical 2022 run in Indonesia, where they went all the way to the Final before settling for silver versus Australia.
All because the Tall Blacks showed greater resolve, as they came back all the way from 22 down toward returning to the Semi-Finals for the third time in a row – and arranging a date with another unbeaten team in China.
That’s why Davison couldn’t be any prouder of what they did.
“I’m proud of all the boys. We were down the whole game but we didn’t give up, and we fought back. Proud of the brothers,” said the hooper from New Plymouth, who’s averaging 7.0 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Now, it’s all about shifting their focus on Team Dragon as he and New Zealand shoot for history, particularly in reaching the Asia Cup Final – something that the program hasn’t done since joining in 2017.
“It’s amazing to play for what’s on my chest,” he said, while pointing to his jersey. “It means everything, you know. It’s representing my family, where I’m from, all the people back home, and all the hard work.”
“Hopefully we can make history and make it to the Final,” Davison added.
FIBA