“From NBL1 standout to Brisbane Bullets — how a disciplined approach and high-performance training fuelled Jack Purchase’s comeback”
🎥 Watch our full interview with Jack Purchase on his journey back to the NBL:
Early Career and NBL Beginnings
Jack Purchase NBL comeback is a story of determination, precision, and performance. Jack Purchase always knew he belonged in the NBL. A scholarship athlete at Auburn University in 2014, and later the University of Hawai’i in 2016, his early career showed promise. He returned to Australia and featured as a development player with Melbourne United in 2019, earned a contract with the Adelaide 36ers in 2021, and spent a season with the Perth Wildcats. But by the end of 2020, he found himself off the NBL playing list — pushed to the margins of professional basketball.
Setbacks and the NBL1 Years
Between 2020 and 2023, Jack played in the NBL1. In 2023, he was named NBL1 Co-MVP — an accolade that reignited his ambition. That moment marked a change in mindset: the goal was clear — return to the NBL. But this time, he knew it couldn’t be business as usual.
A New Approach — Professional Preparation
“I had to do things differently. The old-school way wasn’t going to work.”
Having previously worked with Xavier Evans, Jack returned to Melbourne CBD Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine Clinic. There, he found not just a clinician, but a high-performance team who fully backed his vision. Baseline testing was completed, interventions were planned, and the focus was set: build a more physically robust athlete capable of matching it with the best in the NBL — not just technically, but physically.
Training Without Compromise
Over the next 16 months, Jack committed completely to the program. No exceptions. Christmas Eve? Jack and Xavier were in the clinic training. Why? Because it was a training day — and the goal hadn’t changed.
Xavier worked closely to ensure Jack not only executed his program, but understood it — how it would translate to the court, and how each step would close the gap to his goal.
“Be comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Results on the Court
The work paid off:
- Signed in India’s professional league and won League MVP (2024–25)
- Returned to Australia and rejoined the Melbourne Tigers in NBL1
- On 4 May 2025, broke the NBL1 single-game scoring record — 55 points and 10 three-pointers
- Helped guide the Tigers to the Preliminary Victory over Knox, and will be a key feature in the Grand Final
Return to the NBL
Most importantly, Jack has signed with the Brisbane Bullets for the 2025–26 NBL season. The Jack Purchase NBL comeback is a story of humility, professionalism, and persistence. Basketball may be in his blood — his mother a WNBL player, his father a former NBL athlete — but his journey back to the top came through relentless discipline and a refined approach.
We’ve loved having Jack in the clinic, and Xavier’s work has been praised by the Melbourne Tigers. This outcome shows what happens when the right athlete meets the right team. Thank you for sharing your story, Jack, and congratulations on your signing with the Brisbane Bullets — it’s been a privilege to be part of the journey.
This preparation was led by Xavier Evans, Senior Physiotherapist and High Performance Coach at Melbourne CBD Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine Clinic.
Xavier Evans, a senior physiotherapist and high-performance coach, brings extensive expertise in sports injury management and performance enhancement. At Melbourne CBD Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine Clinic, he integrates cutting-edge technology with evidence-based rehabilitation to help athletes return stronger and perform at their best. With a background working in elite basketball and research with the Australian Ballet, Xavier has a particular focus on knee pathology, strength and conditioning, and objective performance monitoring. His collaborative approach ensures every athlete receives tailored strategies to achieve their goals, from recovery to peak performance.