Jack Purchase is working his ass off for an NBL return

Feature image via: JCPphotovideo

At 29-years-old, Jack Purchase says he’s “working my ass off”, to finally make his NBL return. 

Purchase has had three attempts in the NBL, firstly as a development player for Melbourne United, then as an injury replacement with Adelaide and lastly received a two-year contract with the Perth Wildcats – being cut after only one season. 

Between his NBL stints, he’s had a successful career via the NBL1 in the Central and South conferences. His most impactful stop has been for the Melbourne Tigers, playing for his junior club, and the club where his father, Nigel, became a basketball legend. 

Having won the Co-MVP back in 2023, Jack Purchase has become a mainstay of the conference. And he cemented that by pulling off a new league record with his recent 55-point outburst against the Eltham Wildcats on Sunday. 

Speaking with NBL1 Media during the week, Purchase explained how he got the hot hand.

“Obviously, I was never going for a record or anything. I had three points in the first quarter, so I wasn't on track for anything like that,” he said. 

“But then I just turned it on in the second quarter, got going, got lucky. I hit a few shots in a row. The boys just kept throwing me the ball, so I just kept going. It's one of those games where everything I threw up felt like it was going in. 

“I felt like I was a chance every time I touched the ball, and I just kind of kept going. Andrew (Gaze) kept drawing up plays for me and just kept it rolling.” 

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The hot hand phenomenon is an interesting debate, Is it real? How does it start? But whatever your thoughts are, it’s inarguable that Purchase captured it for 40 minutes on Sunday. With 55 points, 10/17 from outside, and 63.3 percent from the field – it’s one of the best performances in 40 minutes anyone could have.

“I’ve never had it to that level at all, not like that (Elijah) Pepper guy in Perth,” Purchase said on having the hot hand. 

“I've had some games where I have got hot, but there are games where I get hot in the first half and then I go missing in the second half. But on Sunday, I was able to keep it going.”

When asked about Elijah Pepper’s insane run of three 50-point games and current average of 43.6 points per game, Purchase said this game may have been a one-off by comparison.

“There's no chance like I don't even think I'll ever be able to do that again,” he joked. 

“I think I've got the record for now, but when he plays next, I'm sure he'll break it when he gets back playing (after his national team commitments). 

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“It was cool to get the 55 points, but at the end of the day, we lost. It wasn't enough and that's the most important thing, getting the win. The way we lost hurt as well, so it was a bittersweet Sunday. It's cool to have the record, I would have preferred the win.” 

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There is some irony in breaking the record, as he overtakes Joe-Cook Green’s record of 54 points, in a double-overtime loss back in 2023. 

However, if Purchase can maintain his stellar play, the reward of an NBL return will not be out of the question. When asked about how his teammate, Tom Wilson, used the NBL1 as a leaping point back into the league, Purchase explained he hopes to do the exact same thing for NBL26.

“I mean that's the goal. That's why I've been working my ass off for the last two years,” he said.

“I'm just trying to change my body, trying to get myself to an NBL level. That's been the goal ever since I fell out of the league, just to try and get back. So I've been doing everything I can week in, week out to try and get back there. Right now I'm just focusing on the Tigers, but that's definitely what I want to do.” 

While it was a bittersweet two-point loss, it was a massive achievement for the Tigers in general, taking the defending champions to their limits. Melbourne is having their best season in some time, with their last finals appearance being back in 2019. With a 3-3 record heading into Round 6, the Tigers have only lost games by a total margin of 11 points this season. 

When asked what’s changed in 2025, Purchase says the core group have now matured into a finals contender. 

“We've been together for about three years, the core group. Having Tommy (Wilson) come in last year was a massive help – he’s a superstar,” he said. 

“We were ready to go this year and we all get along. Everyone loves coming to training, we work hard and everyone plays hard… Mason (Gaze) has stepped up, every year he’s gotten better, so he’d be due for an NBL DP (development player) spot.” 

“The goal is finals, and we're trying to make a push. But we need to get these early wins. They're very important.” 

Purchase credited young guns Ellis Bigger, Wilson Amos and Kai Garnaut, particularly as they have battled through injury, but maintained their production when on the court. While veterans Michael “Fuzz” Wearne and Tak Chehhal have been as consistent as ever. 

The Tigers have a double-header weekend this week, starting in Ballarat on Saturday and returning home to play the Frankston Blues on Sunday. With two of the top teams in their Round 6 schedule, can Melbourne declare themselves a true threat for the 2025 NBL1 South title? 

Watch both games live via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.