Jack is nimble.
Jack is quick.
And in the past three weeks, Hawaii basketball player Jack Purchase has jumped over and around opponents for rebounds.
In the past four games, Purchase averaged 8.8 rebounds per game, including 7.5 defensive boards. This season, he is second among Big West Conference players in defensive rebounds, averaging 6.3 per game.
It is a notable ascent for a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 4.2 rebounds (3.5 defensive boards) as a sophomore in 2016-17 and 5.1 (4.4) as a junior last season.
Purchase’s improved rebounding will be needed to support post player Zigmars Raimo in the Rainbow Warriors’ road matchup against Cal State Northridge on Thursday in The Matadome. Freshman post Lamine Diane (pronounced Luh-meen Jah-neh) is averaging 23.9 points and 11.1 rebounds for the Matadors, who are 2-0 in the Big West.
“He’s doing a great job,” Raimo said of Diane. “He’s energetic. We have to have good coverage on him.”
Part of the defensive plan involves Purchase, who is best regarded for his outside shooting and passing. UH assistant coach Jabari Trotter, who teaches rebounding techniques, said Purchase has displayed the ability to be a prolific rebounder.
“It was something we wanted to focus on a little bit more with him,” Trotter said of Purchase. “He’s one of the taller guys on our team. People forget about that because he plays the 4 and he shoots so well. He’s got a great knack for the ball and great timing. When he gets aggressive, he can get as many boards as he wants.”
Trotter has implored Purchase to use his quickness and strength to establish the box out, claiming territory against an opposing player.
“Sometimes he plays on the perimeter so much on offense, he loses that physicality (on defense),” Trotter said. “You show him on film and rep it in practice and ‘Hey, man, you’re a big kid, you’re a strong kid, you can get it done.’ He was able to.”
Purchase has worked on box outs, reading shooters and projecting the direction of missed shots’ caroms.
“You’ve got to read where it’s shot from, where you think it’s going to go,” Purchase said. “If it’s coming off the side, it’s probably going to go long. I try to read it out of the (shooter’s) hand. I check if my man is going to the board. If not, I get a free run at it. If he’s going, I have to box out to get it.”
With Purchase’s strong passing arm, any of his rebounds can ignite fast breaks.
“I love getting the rebound and pushing the transition,” Purchase said. “That’s definitely something I enjoy doing.”
Trotter said: “If he gets the rebound and outlets to a guard, he can be the trail, and we can swing it back to him for a 3. And that’s what he does best.”
Raimo said he has noticed Purchase’s rebounding development each practice.
“First year, it was easier for me to get an offensive rebound against him,” Raimo said. “This year, he’s stronger and faster. It’s harder for me. It’s showing up on the box score, as well.”
Who: Hawaii (10-5, 1-0 Big West) at Cal State Northridge (8-10, 2-0 Big West)
When: 5 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Matadome
Streaming Video: ESPN3/WatchESPN app.
Radio: KKEA 1420 AM.
