Michael Fitchett (basketball)

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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]

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References

  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.