As a 6-foot-6, 200-pound guard/forward who loves to play above the rim, block shots ambidextrously, soar in for stickbacks, and apply physical defense, Southern California Academy’s Carlin Davison likes to employ the mentality of a 1990s NBA bruiser.
“Dunks, layups, hustle points, that’s where the fun is in the game for me,” said Davison, a New Zealand native who grew up playing flanker/center in rugby.
“It’s more about making the right plays, seeing the floor, and playing defense for me. What good is scoring if you are a liability on defense?”
Davison turned in a double double with 12 points and 11 rebounds during Southern California’s 84-76 victory over Bridgton Academy during Saturday’s Prep National Showcase at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Conn.
Southern California’s 6-foot-9 Ole Miss-commit Jordan Burks scored a game best 25 points (9-for-15 FG, 1-5 3FG, 6-6 FT). Tre Richardson Thomas paced Bridgton with 18 points, including 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. Seth Joba, a versatile 6-9 late bloomer from upstate New York, added 14 for Bridgton.
Capable of catapulting gyms into a frenzy with dazzling finishes only rarefied athletes are capable of, Davison is looking to establish a versatile skill set behind innate talent.
“When he plays, he really plays,” Southern California Academy head coach Chris Chaney said of Davison.
“We want him to bring that energy on a daily basis, being able to make the right reads off it. He can do it all, but sometimes he can almost be too unselfish.”
In New Zealand, Davison showed flashes with his ability to rebound outside of the box and soar in for dunks from 3-4 feet away from the rim.
Davison is still adapting to the American style, emphasizing defense and the need to get quicker.
“I’m not too worried about stats or anything, I just want to hoop,” Davison said.
“Being in Cali, under coach Chaney, I have been able to play without the ball in my hands. I’m trying to get better everyday defensively.”
Davison has been able to foster a productive relationship with a coaching staff, one predicated on honesty and accountability.
“He (Chaney) knows I want to take hard coaching and play the right way,” Davison said.
“He’s taken me out a couple times when I wasn’t going 100 percent on defense. I thought it was fair. This is where I need to be to get to the next stop.”
A well built wing who can play the 2-4, Davison’s role has increased with SCA’s five star, 7-foot-1 Center Isaiah Miranda out with a fractured wrist. While Miranda won’t play in this weekend’s Prep National Showcase, he’s slated to return in less than a month.
Georgetown and Louisville are the two programs Miranda is hearing from most.
Sound in all facets of his game, Miranda is known for his two way uniqueness.
“He can play both the four and the five, he can stretch people out with his shooting ability,” said Chaney.
“He’s got good feel for the game and is a willing passer. It fits today’s game and today’s style a lot more. The good thing about (Miranda) is he can guard nearly every position. He can switch on guys.”
