BIO: Jack Purchase was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball for the Bulleen Boomers when he was about 6 years old through to the age of 12. Then he moved across to play for the Melbourne Tigers Tigers junior program as a teenager.

As a junior, Purchase impressed many coach by winning the under 16 National Junior Classic and the Victorian state title in the same year. He was also part of the winning under 18 National Junior Classic for two straight years as a bottom and top age player. While also winning the Victorian state title as a bottom age player he followed up by winning the under 20 Australian Junior Championship for two consecutive years.

In his last year with the Tigers junior program, Purchase was outstanding in the 2012 Big V Youth League (U23) competition. He averaged 21.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5 assists per game, leading the Melbourne Tigers to the title and being named MVP.

FAMILY: Jack Purchase is the son of Nigel Purchase who played 250 games in the NBL. Jack’s mother Simone played WNBL for the Bulleen Boomers.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Jack Purchase made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 24 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Signed as a development player with Melbourne United, Jack Purchase saw limited opportunities to play during his first NBL season. Despite this, he was part of a team that secured fourth place with a 15-13 record and advanced to the playoffs.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2020/21
During the 2020/21 season, Purchase joined the Adelaide 36ers to bolster their bench depth. His contributions were minimal, averaging 1.7 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in limited court time. Adelaide finished the season in seventh place with a 13-23 record, missing out on the playoffs.

PERTH WILDCATS
2021/22
In 2021/22, Perth Wildcats underwent significant changes with Trevor Gleeson departing to coach in the NBA and several key players like Will Magnay and half of Perth’s bench rotation (Clint Steindl, Jarrad Weeks, and Jarred Bairstow) leaving to join Tasmania’s new NBL team. Perth brought in coach Scott Morrison and added key signings like Vic Law (via Brisbane) and Matthew Hodgson (via Brisbane) to rebuild their roster.

Purchase struggled to find consistent playing time under Morrison’s system, averaging just 0.3 points per game in minimal minutes. Despite the challenges, Perth spent the majority of the season among the top four teams in the league. However, injuries to Law and Cotton down the stretch caused the team to falter, and they only managed to win three of their final nine games.

Heading into the last game of the season against South East Melbourne, Perth sat in fourth place with their playoff chances on the line. Despite building an eight-point lead in the second half, the Wildcats were unable to secure the win and ultimately lost in overtime, ending their 36-year streak of consecutive playoff appearances, a run that had begun in 1986.

Jack Purchase played three seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Melbourne United, Adelaide 36ers and Perth Wildcats. He averaged 1 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 22 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (832 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.