Remember When... Nigel Purchase Hit the Longest Shot in NBL History

Having short memories comes with the territory of professional sport. After all, how can you continue to move forward if you’re constantly looking at the most perfect moments of yesteryear.

Some things, however, go down in folklore and gain immortality. Nigel Purchase’s remarkable full court shot against the Brisbane Bullets slots comfortably into the category of immortal NBL moments.

Roll the clock back to July of 1991. Bryan Adams was at the top of the Australian music charts, and Terminator 2 had just hit theatres. Brisbane’s Derek Rucker was the reigning NBL MVP, and Michael Jordan was just months away from winning his first NBA title.

Purchase’s shot came right on the three-quarter time buzzer, in fact, the inbound pass he scored from came as a result of him being dunked on by Bullets import Andre Moore.

After receiving the ball from Stephen Whitehead, Purchase  launched a skyhook from his own defensive block. The shot went in off the backboard and Brisbane coach Brian Kerle furiously called for it to be waved off, but the three points stood.

Nigel Purchase (far left) and the 1990 Melbourne Tigers.

Speaking to NBL Media, Purchase reflected on what has become the moment that has defined his decade-long tenure in the competition.

“After the game Stephen Whitehead actually said to me that eventually people would forget the result of the game but they would always remember the shot. I think that’s true,” Purchase said.

“It was a long time ago and as I get older I say it was to win the game, but the reality is it was the end of the third quarter, I think, and we were getting smashed by the Bullets. It was a great shot and a bit of fun and it's something that people can recall.

“People think of that, and I also scored a three-pointer for the other team when the ball was going out of bounds and I was trying to save it, and I guess those are the two things people remember me for.

“I had a couple of thousand points and nearly 1000 assists, but I just feel lucky to have been in the league.

“I had a great time playing in the NBL, made some good friends, and learned a lot about sport, about life and about myself through being involved in basketball.

1991 would be one of the final seasons Purchase played in Melbourne colours, and it was the final season where he was called upon to make a meaningful on-court contribution to the side.

After averaging 16.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game as recently as 1987, Purchase’s final season with Melbourne in 1992 saw him play just 18 times for two points per game.

His final game for the Tigers came in the Grand Final loss to the South East Melbourne Magic where he played just two minutes in the decisive Game 3 defeat.

His final season as a professional would see him link up with the team who, incidentally, he hit his famous shot against.

“It happens a lot with athletes, as you get older you start to slide down the bench – and you always like to play,” he said.

“An opportunity came up at Brisbane to play under Bruce Palmer and I went up there, made a lot of good friends and had an ok year.

“It was a good way to finish up my playing days by making some new friends and having a new experience.”

His departure at the end of the 1992 season means that, after a near-decade of contributions to the Tigers organisation, that Purchase missed out on the historic 1993 championship win.

“It's something I think about a little bit – especially in years like this year where they’re celebrating the 30^th year of that,” he said. “A lot of my mates were in that team and in a way I’m a bit disappointed I wasn’t there, but on the upside I went to Brisbane and made a lot of friends.

“My analysis of that situation is there are a lot of better players than me who never won a championship, so that’s fine with me. I was happy for the fellas who were in that team.

“For me it’s all about competing, and I suppose the other thing is if you weren’t playing too much and you win, then how does that make you feel as far as your contribution anyway?

“I was really happy for the guys to have won that and it was a great thing, but it was difficult to watch when I was in Brisbane, watching them win the championship, but they certainly deserved it.”

Purchase now acts as the founder and CEO of Chase Basketball in Melbourne, and has been doing so for over 20 years, and is attempting to give back to the sport that gave so much to him.

His son, Jack, also spent time in the NBL with Melbourne United, Adelaide and Perth, and currently plays for the Melbourne Tigers in NBL1 South.

Nigel's son Jack currently plays in NBL1 South with the Melbourne Tigers, and wears the number 12 his father made famous for the side in the 1980s and 90s.

“I have a business in basketball now coaching kids so I’m trying to pass on all those positive aspects of life and what sport can do for you. It teaches you about humility, hard work, punctuality.

“There are a lot of things kids can pick up from basketball and sport in general – but basketball is certainly a platform for that.”