McKillop Announces Five Signees

The Davidson men’s basketball program added three freshmen and two transfers to its 2024-25 roster with the signings of Nick Coval, Manie Joses, Roberts Blums, Zach Laput and Joe Hurlburt, head coach Matt McKillop announced Tuesday.

“We are very excited to welcome our incoming class of new Wildcats,” McKillop said. “They bring a tremendous blend of skills, athleticism, experience and all of the key characteristics that we believe help players become great scholar-athletes at Davidson.”

Nick Coval

Fr. | Guard | 6-2 | 175 lbs | Orefield, Pennsylvania | Parkland High School

Nick Coval will come to Davidson as Parkland High School’s all-time leading scorer with 2,123 points during his tenure. The point guard served as a three-year captain at his high school, while earning EPC All-Conference honors four-straight seasons and three EPC MVP honors. After leading his team to four consecutive District 11 championships, along with EPC titles in 2022 and 2024, Coval was also a two-time First Team All-State selection. 

“Nick has grown up in a gym with his father being a college coach,” McKillop shared. “His toughness, his feel for the game, and his ability to play on and off the ball make him a perfect fit for the type of backcourt player that we believe will have a terrific career.”

Manie Joses

Fr. | Forward | 6-7 | 190 lbs | London, England | NBA Global Academy

A 6-7 small forward, Manie Joses joins the Wildcats from London, England after attending the NBA Global Academy in Australia. A member of the U16 Sure Shot Junior National Cup Championship team, Joses recently made the Great Britain U20 Team, and will compete at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket tournament in Pitesti, Romania later this summer. 

“Manie has incredible physical and athletic talents that we believe will immediately translate to the college level,” McKillop said. “He comes to Davidson with international experience and a strong background in development from attending the NBA Academy in Australia.”

Roberts Blums

Fr. | Guard | 6-2 | 190 lbs | Riga, Latvia | Rigas Talmãcibas Vidusskola

Coming off 2024 Latvian League and Latvian Cup Championships, Roberts Blums averaged 12 points per game after appearing in 32 games for VEF Riga in the Latvian Estonian Basketball League. A member of the U16 and U18 National Teams, Blums most recently averaged 20 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game during the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championships, where Latvia won the gold medal and Blums was named MVP of the tournament.

“Similar to Nick, Roberts grew up around the game; following the long, decorated professional career of his father, Janis Blums,” noted McKillop. “He has proven to be a high-level scorer in international competition, as well as in the professional league in Latvia.”

Joe Hurlburt

Jr. | Forward/Center | 6-11 | 235 lbs | Enderlin, North Dakota | Enderlin/University of Colorado

A three-time All-State selection and two-time North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year, Joe Hurlburt began his college career at the University of Colorado. The all-time leading rebounder in the state of North Dakota, Hurlburt grabbed 1,475 during his Enderlin High School career and averaged 14.8 per game as a senior. He still holds Enderlin records for career points (2,188), assists (373), rebounds and blocks.

“Joe is an incredibly skilled post player who has really impressed our coaching staff with his ability to shoot from distance and pass with precision,” McKillop said. “We believe his presence gives us the most well-rounded frontcourt in the Atlantic 10.”

Zach Laput

Sr. | 6-4 | 205 lbs | Beacon Falls, Connecticut | Notre Dame-West Haven/Bentley University

As a four-year member of the Bentley University men’s basketball team, Zach Laput averaged 18.4 points per game as a Falcon and shot 49.7 percent from the floor during his tenure. The Connecticut native had an illustrious career in Waltham, earning NABC Division II All-America honors in 2023 and 2024, and was named the NE10 Player of the Year after his second-consecutive 600-point season his senior year. With 1,655 career points, Laput has appeared in 90 college basketball games to date.

“Zach’s production at the college level speaks for itself,” McKillop added. “His work ethic is exceptional, and the attitude and leadership he has already brought to the court every day has shown the type of impact he will have on this team.”