Club: Sydney University Flames
DOB: 13 January 1995
Height: 188cm
Position: Forward
Number: 4
Tall Ferns Debut: 2013
Appearances: 63
Junior Association: Waikato
High School: John Paul College, Queensland (Australia)
Along with Chevannah Paalvast they are the only two players to have appeared in all 16 games that New Zealand have played at the Asia Cup (2017, 2019 and 2021).
Purcell is NZ’s leading rebounder at the Asia Cup (128 rebounds) and second highest scorer (120 points)
Was a member of the 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medal winning team averaging 5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Captained the NZ team that won the William Jones Cup in 2018 averaging 9.2 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Also a member of the NZ team that finished runners-up at the 2019 Cup averaging 10.2ppg and 8.0rpg.
Helped Auckland Dream claim the 2019 WBC Championship title whilst also scooping the League MVP Award.
Purcell had a stellar career at BYU Provo where she was named to the AA-WCC Women’s First Team in 2016 and 2017.Purcell became BYU’s single-season record holder in total rebounds (416) in 2016. In her final season she averaged 12.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game earning the 2016-17 WCC Defensive Player of the Year award.
Has signed for the Sydney University Flames for the 2021-22 Australian WNBL season after four successive years with the Melbourne Boomers.
Older sisters Charmian Mellars and Natalie Taylor are both former Tall Ferns.
Photo: www.photosport.nz
