From New Zealand to Price: Liam Davis finds his place with USU Eastern basketball

When Liam Davis arrived in Price, he was more than 7,000 miles from his hometown in New Zealand. Now, he is with the Utah State Eastern Men’s Basketball program. Davis has become a key part of the Eagles’ rotation and a steady presence on and off the court, according to head coach Bill Evans. 

Davis grew up participating in multiple sports in New Zealand, with rugby and basketball both playing major roles in his development. He said his athletic background helped prepare him for the physical demands of college basketball in the United States. 

“In New Zealand, rugby is huge, so you grow up being tough and competitive,” Davis said. “That definitely helped me when I started playing basketball more seriously.” 

After finishing high school, Davis decided to pursue opportunities overseas. He said the chance to combine education and athletics in the U.S. was something he could not find at home. 

“I wanted to get a degree and play at a high level,” Davis said. “Coming to America gave me that opportunity.” 

Davis began his college career at Midland College in Texas, where he spent two seasons developing his game before transferring to USU Eastern. Evans said Davis’ maturity and experience stood out during the recruiting process. 

“He’s been through a lot already,” Evans said. “Coming from another country, going to junior college, learning how things work here. — that builds character.” 

Evans said Davis brings consistency to the Eagles’ lineup, particularly on defense and in transition. 

“He understands his role,” Evans said. “He competes, he runs the floor, he defends. Those are things that help you win games.” 

Since arriving in Price, Davis has focused on adapting to the pace and physicality of play. He said the adjustment period was challenging but manageable with support from teammates and coaches. 

“The game is faster here,” Davis said. “Everyone is strong. Everyone can shoot. You have to be locked in every possession.” 

Davis credited his teammates for helping him settle into the program and the community. 

“They made it easy,” he said. “From the first day, they treated me like family.” 

Off the court, Davis is pursuing a degree in business and hopes to work in sports management after graduation. He said balancing academics and athletics has been one of the most important lessons of his college career. 

“You can’t just be a basketball player,” Davis said. “You have to take care of school and your future too.” 

Evans said Davis’ approach reflects the culture he wants to build within the program. 

“We want guys who care about academics, who represent the school well and who work every day,” Evans said. “Liam does all of that.” 

Davis also stays connected to his family in New Zealand through regular video calls. For Davis, the distance has been one of the hardest parts of his journey, especially during the season. 

“It’s tough being away,” Davis said. “You miss birthdays, holidays, little things. But they’re proud of me, and that keeps me going.” 

Despite the challenges, Davis has no regrets about leaving home to pursue his goals. 

“I’ve grown a lot as a person,” he said. “Living on my own, being responsible, learning how to handle pressure — it’s been worth it.” 

Evans believes Davis’ best basketball is still ahead of him. 

“He’s still learning,” Evans said. “He hasn’t reached his ceiling yet. If he keeps working, he can play at a very high level.” 

As the season continues, Davis said his focus remains on helping the Eagles compete in conference play and improving daily. 

“My goal is simple,” he said. “Be the best teammate I can be and help us win.” 

For Davis, the path from New Zealand to rural Utah has been long and demanding. However, he said through persistence, discipline and support from those around him, he has found a place where he can continue building both his career and his future.