Nigel Purchase Interview - Thankful, Transformed and Thriving Through Basketball
We hope you enjoy episode #25 of our Australian Basketball History series - an in-depth interview with Nigel Purchase - Thankful, Transformed and Thriving Through Basketball
Purchase played ten seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Melbourne Tigers and the Brisbane Bullets. He averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 250 NBL games.
He was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Melbourne basketball program.
Purchase made his NBL debut with the Melbourne Tigers at 17 years of age. He scored 10 points in his first game.
Throughout his NBL career, Purchase shared the court with some of Australia's basketball greats. Notably, he played alongside Andrew Gaze, the NBL's all-time leading scorer, during their tenure with the Melbourne Tigers. Purchase was part of the Tigers during the 1991 season, which featured the highest-scoring game in NBL history, where Gaze scored 59 points in a 186-158 victory over
Throughout his NBL career, Purchase shared the court with some of Australia's basketball greats. Notably, he played alongside Andrew Gaze, the NBL's all-time leading scorer, during their tenure with the Melbourne Tigers. Purchase was part of the Tigers during the 1991 season, which featured the highest-scoring game in NBL history, where Gaze scored 59 points in a 186-158 victory over Illawarra. These experiences placed Purchase among some of the most illustrious figures in Australian basketball.
In 1991, at the end of the third quarter in a game against the Brisbane Bullets, Purchase unleashed a full court shot which went in off the backboard. It stands as the longest shot in NBL history.
In 1992, the Tigers bolstered their lineup by adding former NBA guard Lanard Copeland, forming an exciting duo with Gaze. Purchase reflects on this amazing experience for him as a player, and for basketball fans.
Although initially slated to remain with the Tigers for the 1993 season, Purchase chose to move to Brisbane in the hope of increased playing time. Brisbane had just replaced long-time coach Brian Kerle with Bruce Palmer, who had previously led the North Melbourne Giants to the 1989 championship who Purchase had a close relationship with. Under Palmer’s tutelage, the Bullets finished the season winning 50% of their games (same as the previous year under Kerle) and made it to the semi finals before being eliminated in two straight games by Dwayne McClain, and the Sydney Kings.
Today, Purchase is the CEO and Founder of Chase Basketball. For over 20 years, Chase Basketball has been a leader in junior basketball tuition. With an incredibly strong history in the great sport of basketball, Purchase's team are proud of how they teach the sport to the next generation. Chase coaches are lovers of the game who want the Chase Players to love the sport as much as they do.
. These experiences placed Purchase among some of the most illustrious figures in Australian basketball.
In 1991, at the end of the third quarter in a game against the Brisbane Bullets, Purchase unleashed a full court shot which went in off the backboard. It stands as the longest shot in NBL history.
In 1992, the Tigers bolstered their lineup by adding former NBA guard Lanard Copeland, forming an exciting duo with Gaze. Purchase reflects on this amazing experience for him as a player, and for basketball fans.
Although initially slated to remain with the Tigers for the 1993 season, Purchase chose to move to Brisbane in the hope of increased playing time. Brisbane had just replaced long-time coach Brian Kerle with Bruce Palmer, who had previously led the North Melbourne Giants to the 1989 championship who Purchase had a close relationship with. Under Palmer’s tutelage, the Bullets finished the season winning 50% of their games (same as the previous year under Kerle) and made it to the semi finals before being eliminated in two straight games by Dwayne McClain, and the Sydney Kings.
Today, Purchase is the CEO and Founder of Chase Basketball. For over 20 years, Chase Basketball has been a leader in junior basketball tuition. With an incredibly strong history in the great sport of basketball, Purchase's team are proud of how they teach the sport to the next generation. Chase coaches are lovers of the game who want the Chase Players to love the sport as much as they do.