Michael Fitchett (basketball)

Michael Robert Elmslie Fitchett (born 20 September 1982) is a New Zealand former professional basketball player. He attended Nelson College from 1996 to 2000, where he excelled as a sportsman. He was the school's junior athletics champion in 1996 and 1997, played for the 'A' basketball team from 1996 to 2000, and was a member of the 1st XI cricket team from 1996 to 2000.[1] He played in the New Zealand NBL every year between 1999 and 2012. He also played one game in the Australian NBL with the New Zealand Breakers in January 2009.[2] He also represented the New Zealand Tall Blacks multiple times between 2008 and 2011.[3]

In October 2018, Fitchett was appointed head coach of the Nelson Giants for the 2019 season.[4][5] He was elevated to dual general manager / head coach of the Giants in 2021.[6][7] He continued in the role in 2022[8] and won the New Zealand NBL Coach of the Year Award.[9] He remained in the dual role as of the 2024 season.[10]

Between 2016 and 2019, Fitchett served as an assistant coach with the New Zealand Breakers.[11][12] In November 2024, he was named an assistant coach for the Tall Blacks for the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.[13]

  1. ^ Nelson College Old Boys' Register, 1856–2006, 6th edition
  2. ^ Player statistics for Michael Fitchett
  3. ^ Michael Fitchett – FIBA.com
  4. ^ "Nelson calls for Fitch". nzbreakers.basketball. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  5. ^ O'Connell, Tim (19 October 2018). "Fitchett new Giants coach". The Nelson Mail. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  6. ^ O'Connell, Tim (6 March 2021). "Vukona's value measured by former Nelson teammate". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  7. ^ "FLICKET COMES ON BOARD AS GIANTS AND SPARKS CAPTAINS GET READY FOR DRAFT NIGHT EXCITEMENT". nelsongiants.basketball. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  8. ^ "GIANTS GET GLOW UP!". nelsongiants.basketball. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  9. ^ "2022 SAL'S NBL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED". nznbl.basketball. 9 August 2022. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022.
  10. ^ Hampson, Matthew (21 March 2024). "Young Nelson Giants squad hopes to 'make a bit of noise'". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  11. ^ Egan, Brendon (12 October 2019). "New Zealand Breakers assistant Mike Fitchett resigns week out from season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  12. ^ Price, Josh (14 November 2019). "Basketball: Mike Fitchett explains decision to quit the New Zealand Breakers before start of ANBL season". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  13. ^ "Flavell Names First Tall Blacks Roster for Asia Cup Qualifiers |Basketball New Zealand". nz.basketball. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.