During a cross-training session last summer, the Hawaii basketball team played flag football and staged a longest-punt contest.

It was no surprise the longest drive — an 80-yarder aided by bounces and a roll — belonged to forward Jack Purchase. Purchase’s specialty is deep shots.

Entering Thursday’s Big West basketball game against Cal Poly, Purchase is one shy of tying Zane Johnson’s school record for most career 3-point baskets. Purchase has hit 179 3-point shots in three UH seasons after transferring from Auburn.

“I’m not thinking about (the record),” Purchase said. “I’m thinking about the games coming up. That’s what I’m focused on.”

But since his wonder years, Purchase’s game has been his outside shooting. Purchase recalled the nights spent shooting at a hoop in the backyard of his family’s home in Melbourne, Australia. Most of the “court” was concrete. Purchase would pace off to the grass lawn, which he estimated was the 3-point area.

“I would stay there all night and Dad would would fire (the basketball) back to me,” Purchase said. “There was no 3-point line. I just knew how deep it was, and I just launched it from wherever.”

Soon, a reputation was earned.

“I was always known as a shooter at a young age,” Purchase said. “When you’re making 3s at 13 or 14, people know you as a shooter. I kept it going.”

When he was an assistant at Saint Mary’s, UH head coach Eran Ganot scouted and recruited extensively in Australia. “I remember watching (Purchase) as a really skinny kid in his younger days,” Ganot said. “And just watching him grow has been fun.”

After playing seven games as a true freshman at Auburn, Purchase requested — and received — a release from his scholarship. Later, he became Ganot’s first recruit as a head coach.

“He’s a great kid who comes from a great family,” Ganot said. “I really wanted him here because of who I thought he could be and the way I wanted to play.”

In Ganot’s four-out offense, an accurate shooter — even one with a post player’s 6-foot-9 build — is highly valued on the perimeter. In three seasons, Purchase has launched 79.8 percent of his shots from behind the 3-point arc. Ganot also praised Purchase’s passing and teamwork. “With the combination of those things, I thought he could be special,” Ganot said, “and he’s been a special player for us.”

But after starting all 30 games during the 2016-17 season, Purchase struggled as a junior. In the first four games of the 2017-18 season, Purchase shot 13-for-38, including 4-for-20 from 3-point range. He only started three more games that season.

This season, Purchase has regained his aim and confidence. He has hit 37.5 percent of his 3s, averages 11.6 points per game, and has become an active defender and rebounder. Ganot said it was a “great thing” for Purchase to set the school record for most career 3-point attempts last month. Ganot said that was an indicator of Purchase’s renewed confidence.

Purchase has hit 3s from all angles and while falling backward. It begins with his grip. “I like to adjust to it where I’m touching the seam and the ball is spinning backward properly,” Purchase said. “If I quickly catch it, I’ll change it in my hands, and then shoot it.”

Purchase’s record chase has drawn unabashed support from teammates.

“To me, Jack is great,” guard Sheriff Drammeh said. “To me, he’s the best 4-man in our league. Him approaching the record is only right. We’ve all seen Jack shoot for three years now. We know he shoots lights out. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks the record.”

HAWAII 3-POINT FIELD GOALS MADE

1. Zane Johnson (2011-12) 180

2. Jack Purchase (2016-present) 179

3. Predrag Savovic (2000-02) 178

4. Carl English (2001-03) 162

5. Alika Smith (1995-98) 161

6. Mike McIntyre (1999-2002) 159

7. Michael Kuebler (2003-04) 143

8. Bobby Nash (2004-05, ’07-08) 142

9. Matt Gibson (2005, ’07-08) 129

10. Trevor Ruffin (1993-94) 122

— Source: UH Athletics