New Zealand basketball player
Kalani Purcell (born 13 January 1995) is a New Zealand professional basketball player.
College
Purcell began her college career at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas for the Blue Dragons.[1] After two seasons with Hutchinson, Purcell became the most decorated player in Blue Dragons history, earning her a transfer to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah for the Cougars .[2] During her time at BYU, Purcell received several awards in the West Coast Conference of NCAA Division I .
Statistics
Career
WNBL
Purcell has signed a two-year deal with the Melbourne Boomers in the Women's National Basketball League . There, she will play alongside the likes of Liz Cambage and Jenna O'Hea , under coach Guy Molloy.[3]
In June 2019, Purcell signed on for her third year with the Melbourne Boomers for the 2019–20 season .[4]
National team
Youth level
Purcell made her international debut for the New Zealand under-17 team at the 2009 FIBA Oceania Under-16 Championship in Brisbane, Queensland , at just the age of 14.[5]
Senior level
Purcell made her senior international debut with the Tall Ferns at the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship . She has taken home the silver medal on two occasions. Purcell played for the Tall Ferns at the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Nantes, France . After losses to France and Cuba, New Zealand failed to qualify.
Personal life
Purcell, hailing from Hamilton, New Zealand , is the youngest of seven children to Ingrid and Brian Purcell. Two of her older sisters, Charmian and Natalie , have also represented the Tall Ferns and are both Olympians.[6]
Purcell and her partner, NBL player Tyrell Harrison, are expecting their first child in 2023.[7] [8]
References