The Perth Wildcats welcome Jack Purchase to their 2021/22 roster. (Image: NBL)
The Perth Wildcats have added much needed size, athleticism and shooting ability to its 2021/22 roster signing Australian sharp-shooting forward Jack Purchase for two years.
Purchase is no stranger to the NBL, having represented Melbourne United as a development player and the Adelaide 36ers as an injury replacement.
The 26-year-old played three games with Melbourne United in 2019/20 and nine games with Adelaide as an injury replacement player last season, where he was a three-point threat despite the limited opportunity.
Perth Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Operations Danny Mills said Purchase’s skill set will be an asset to how his team will play this season.
“At six-nine, Jack is a guy who can really shoot, whether it’s stationary spot-ups or on the move, he has a really quick release,” he said.
“That’s something you can incorporate into any offence, and we’re going to play a lot more of an up-tempo, positionless style of basketball this season.
“A guy like him, at his size, who can shoot, dribble and pass, play smart basketball and use his IQ is someone who is going to be able to contribute and fight for minutes. We’re really excited about what he can bring to our roster.”
The son of former Melbourne Tiger Nigel Purchase is coming off an NBL1 season where he represented the North Adelaide Rockets and the Hobart Chargers.
In a total of nine games, he averaged 17.8 points, connecting on over 40 per cent from long range while adding 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game.
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Purchase said he’s looking forward to working with his idols.
“I’ve been watching the NBL my whole life, watching guys like Jesse Wagstaff, Bryce Cotton all those guys for the last however long they’ve been in the league. I’ve been idolising them,” he said.
“I don’t know many of the blokes personally yet, looking forward to getting out there and meeting them. I’m looking forward to getting out there and learning from guys like that.”
Since his first appearance in the league, Purchase has made improvements to his game looking to get bigger, faster and stronger to match it with the current big man in the league.
“I was pretty light when I entered the league, I was 90kg so the last couple of years I’ve been working on my body, trying to get bigger, faster and stronger to be able to guard the big guys cause the four men in this league are very physical and strong,” he said.
“That was something I’ve been working on a lot and I’m up to about 102-103kg now. My body’s feeling good, I’m ready to go and I’m looking forward to getting out there and guarding guys like Vic Law, that’s going to be an unbelievable opportunity it’s going to make me better every day.”
Perth Wildcats head coach Scott Morrison said Purchase will fit in the team’s demographic.
“He is a cerebral player who will fit in well with our vets as well as possessing an excellent work ethic which will serve well for his continued development alongside some of our younger players,” he said.
The Perth Wildcats now have two remaining roster spots, including an import spot.
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