Jack Purchase has again committed to the Melbourne Tigers for the NBL1 South 2020 season.
Son of NBL 250 game legend Nigel Purchase, Jack was a Melbourne Tiger before he could walk and dominated junior basketball at all levels. He spent a year at the University of Auburn in 2014/2015 before transferring to the University of Hawaii, where he played for three years from 2016. In his final college year, Purchase started all 31 games and earned Big West second-team honours. He led the team in blocks and minutes per game, while sharing scoring honours with three-pointers made.
Returning home in 2019, Purchase, the 206cm forward, joined the Tigers’ NBL1 roster and made an immediate impact. Playing only limited minutes and juggling other basketball commitments, Jack delivered 11.5ppg, 3rpg and 2apg.
Jack, currently a development player with NBL team Melbourne United for 2019/2020 season, has been hard at work developing his skills, strength and competing to make MU a strong team, while developing for the next step in his professional career.
Tiger’s coach Brad Pineau said, “It’s great to see Jack back. We love what he offers as an offensive threat, as a passer, scoring on the perimeter and attacking the basket with a high IQ. Defensively Jack has the length and knowledge to help our development as a team on the defensive end, which is a key priority for our group. Jack is a great fit and his development will continue throughout NBL1 2020”.
Tigers GM Chris Brooking commented, “We’re continuing the plan of bringing our 2019 NBL1 players and Tigers juniors back to form a strong NBL1 2020 team. Jack Purchase will join Felix von Hofe and Dane Pineau, who were all Tiger juniors and played together in Australian national teams. This group is looking cohesive and a little awesome”.
Felix and Jack played together in the 2012 Under 17 Australian team. Of interest, that ‘Crocs’ team also included Ben Simmons and Dante Exum!