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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Q&A With Jackson Purcell
1/5/2022 3:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Jackson Purcell knew he wanted to play for his home state at an early age. Growing up in Apple Valley, Minn., Purcell played for Eastview High School and Minnesota Select. As a senior with Eastview, he averaged 12.8 points per games and scored in double figures eight of 11 games despite suffering an injury. He was a member of the South Suburban League championship team both senior and junior years and an all-conference selection in 2020-21. As a junior, Purcell helped Eastview to a 24-4 record and a South Suburban Conference championship en route to the Class 4A Section 3 finals. Although currently sidelined due to an injury, Purcell is making the most out of his time with the Gophers.
Talk about why you chose Minnesota and how you were able to be a Golden Gopher.
I'm from here, right in Apple Valley, Minn., so it's only a 30-minute drive from here. Grew up going to games, both my parents used to work in the athletic department when I was young so I've been around the program for a long time. I love everything about the campus and it's a great academic school.
You could have played at a different level, what was it that stood out to you about Minnesota instead of going to a smaller school?
I love Minnesota, there's no reason to leave. It was the best opportunity that was presented to me even as a walk-on to play at the highest level that is something you always dream of as a kid. So growing up, and coming to games at Williams is a lot cooler sitting on the bench.
You played at Eastview, what was your high school team like and how did that experience prepare you for Minnesota?
Playing at Eastview, we were always competitive, especially my junior and senior years. I played with Steven Crowl, who now plays at Wisconsin. I've been around guys who have played at this level in just our conference alone and are four and five star recruits. So I've played with guys that have been successful at this level. Not only did that helped prepare me athletically, Eastview is a very rigorous school academically, so it set me up for the college transition.
You're battling an injury here at the start of the season. How has the rehab been going and what has the staff been able to help you through this?
This injury actually started in my senior year of high school. I did some rehab to be able to finish my high school career. This opportunity presented it to me, and I worked out all spring. Then first day of practice, my kneecap slipped out once again, which happened. There was always a high percentage that it would happen and dealing with it. A little adversity never killed anyone. I'm about a month away from returning.
Although you're not on the court, what have you learned already from this coaching staff and program?
All of these coaches know the game of basketball so well. I've learned a lot from simply being an observer of what they have to say. Their teaching to all the other players, especially the freshmen is great. Taking in things from a distance is a lot different than taking it up close, but it's still beneficial from one of the youngest on the team from the older guys and from these coaches.
Who would you say have been some of older players that have mentored you?
I spend every day with Parker Fox and Isaiah Ihnen in the training room. I've learned a lot from their experiences and what they've done to get here and their work ethic. Parker was a DII player and coming in here and chasing his dreams and using his one offer out of high school into something, which is a similar situation I hope to follow. Isaiah is from a completely different country and coming here making a name for himself is great. I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to hear from him.
You're a part of Carlson, what are you interested in studying?
I chose Carlson because it is a rigorous program and not many people get in there. Coming out of Carlson and especially here in the Twin Cities, you make so many connections as well as being on the basketball team, it can carry over into Fortune 500 companies. They have meetings with Carlson and advisors in Carlson that can help you out so the connections are the most important thing.
You mentioned that your parents used to work in Gopher Athletics. Did that have any decision on you coming to Minnesota or how did their athletics background shape it?
I was just a little guy and barely remember when they used to work here, but I just remember the little things. Coming to games and being in the crowd. Williams was so loud that I remember having to leave because it was too loud for me when I was a kid. That vivid memory was something that made me really excited to be here as a player. To hear the crowd first hand and be a part of it is something I really love. With them being a part of the program and I know a lot of their coworkers are still here so I've been able to meet a lot of them and get to know others in the department. They've helped me out a lot.
What is it like for you to grow up as a fan and now be a part of this team and being in that atmosphere?
It's a completely new perspective and I absolutely love it. Even sitting in my spot in the corner and being 10 feet away from the game, it's really cool to have that perspective. You're close to a team that you've loved your whole life.
You played for former Gopher who was your AAU Mitch Ohnstad. How did he guide you in the recruiting/decision process.
I got the most out of our one-on-one sessions because he was able to break the game down and talk about what it takes to play at the Division I level. Obviously it's a lot faster, but he helped slow the game down and said that was the most important thing to him. He's not the biggest guy, but he was pretty successful here by slowing the game down. I was able to learn a lot from him just by going from all fast to slowing it down.
What do you like to do when you're not in the gym or school?
I would say video games, but it sounds like a lot of the guys play more video games than I do so I don't even know if that counts. I like watching movies and a lot of Netflix shows. I just finished "You" on Netflix so that's my recommendations. Now that I have a little break from school, I'm looking for some recommendations on what to do.
Talk about why you chose Minnesota and how you were able to be a Golden Gopher.
I'm from here, right in Apple Valley, Minn., so it's only a 30-minute drive from here. Grew up going to games, both my parents used to work in the athletic department when I was young so I've been around the program for a long time. I love everything about the campus and it's a great academic school.
You could have played at a different level, what was it that stood out to you about Minnesota instead of going to a smaller school?
I love Minnesota, there's no reason to leave. It was the best opportunity that was presented to me even as a walk-on to play at the highest level that is something you always dream of as a kid. So growing up, and coming to games at Williams is a lot cooler sitting on the bench.
You played at Eastview, what was your high school team like and how did that experience prepare you for Minnesota?
Playing at Eastview, we were always competitive, especially my junior and senior years. I played with Steven Crowl, who now plays at Wisconsin. I've been around guys who have played at this level in just our conference alone and are four and five star recruits. So I've played with guys that have been successful at this level. Not only did that helped prepare me athletically, Eastview is a very rigorous school academically, so it set me up for the college transition.
You're battling an injury here at the start of the season. How has the rehab been going and what has the staff been able to help you through this?
This injury actually started in my senior year of high school. I did some rehab to be able to finish my high school career. This opportunity presented it to me, and I worked out all spring. Then first day of practice, my kneecap slipped out once again, which happened. There was always a high percentage that it would happen and dealing with it. A little adversity never killed anyone. I'm about a month away from returning.
Although you're not on the court, what have you learned already from this coaching staff and program?
All of these coaches know the game of basketball so well. I've learned a lot from simply being an observer of what they have to say. Their teaching to all the other players, especially the freshmen is great. Taking in things from a distance is a lot different than taking it up close, but it's still beneficial from one of the youngest on the team from the older guys and from these coaches.
Who would you say have been some of older players that have mentored you?
I spend every day with Parker Fox and Isaiah Ihnen in the training room. I've learned a lot from their experiences and what they've done to get here and their work ethic. Parker was a DII player and coming in here and chasing his dreams and using his one offer out of high school into something, which is a similar situation I hope to follow. Isaiah is from a completely different country and coming here making a name for himself is great. I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to hear from him.
You're a part of Carlson, what are you interested in studying?
I chose Carlson because it is a rigorous program and not many people get in there. Coming out of Carlson and especially here in the Twin Cities, you make so many connections as well as being on the basketball team, it can carry over into Fortune 500 companies. They have meetings with Carlson and advisors in Carlson that can help you out so the connections are the most important thing.
You mentioned that your parents used to work in Gopher Athletics. Did that have any decision on you coming to Minnesota or how did their athletics background shape it?
I was just a little guy and barely remember when they used to work here, but I just remember the little things. Coming to games and being in the crowd. Williams was so loud that I remember having to leave because it was too loud for me when I was a kid. That vivid memory was something that made me really excited to be here as a player. To hear the crowd first hand and be a part of it is something I really love. With them being a part of the program and I know a lot of their coworkers are still here so I've been able to meet a lot of them and get to know others in the department. They've helped me out a lot.
What is it like for you to grow up as a fan and now be a part of this team and being in that atmosphere?
It's a completely new perspective and I absolutely love it. Even sitting in my spot in the corner and being 10 feet away from the game, it's really cool to have that perspective. You're close to a team that you've loved your whole life.
You played for former Gopher who was your AAU Mitch Ohnstad. How did he guide you in the recruiting/decision process.
I got the most out of our one-on-one sessions because he was able to break the game down and talk about what it takes to play at the Division I level. Obviously it's a lot faster, but he helped slow the game down and said that was the most important thing to him. He's not the biggest guy, but he was pretty successful here by slowing the game down. I was able to learn a lot from him just by going from all fast to slowing it down.
What do you like to do when you're not in the gym or school?
I would say video games, but it sounds like a lot of the guys play more video games than I do so I don't even know if that counts. I like watching movies and a lot of Netflix shows. I just finished "You" on Netflix so that's my recommendations. Now that I have a little break from school, I'm looking for some recommendations on what to do.
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