Michael Fitchett (basketball)

Michael Robert Elmslie Fitchett (born 20 September 1982) is a New Zealand former professional basketball player.

Fitchett was born in Nelson, New Zealand.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] He also represented the New Zealand Tall Blacks multiple times between 2008 and 2011.[4]

In October 2018, Fitchett was appointed head coach of the Nelson Giants for the 2019 season.[5][6] He was elevated to dual general manager / head coach of the Giants in 2021.[7][8] He continued in the role in 2022[9] and won the New Zealand NBL Coach of the Year Award.[10] He remained in the dual role as of the 2024 season.[11] The 2026 season marked his eighth as head coach of the Giants.[12]

Between 2016 and 2019, Fitchett served as an assistant coach with the New Zealand Breakers.[13][14] In November 2024, he was named an assistant coach for the Tall Blacks for the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.[15] In November 2025, he was named as an assistant for the Tall Blacks for the first window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.[16] In February 2026, he was named an assistant for two more Asian qualifiers.[17]

References

  1. ↑ "Michael Fitchett". giants.co.nz. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008.
  2. ↑ Nelson College Old Boys' Register, 1856–2006, 6th edition
  3. ↑ Player statistics for Michael Fitchett
  4. ↑ Michael Fitchett – FIBA.com
  5. ↑ "Nelson calls for Fitch". nzbreakers.basketball. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  6. ↑ O'Connell, Tim (19 October 2018). "Fitchett new Giants coach". The Nelson Mail. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  7. ↑ O'Connell, Tim (6 March 2021). "Vukona's value measured by former Nelson teammate". New Zealand: Stuff. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  8. ↑ "FLICKET COMES ON BOARD AS GIANTS AND SPARKS CAPTAINS GET READY FOR DRAFT NIGHT EXCITEMENT". nelsongiants.basketball. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  9. ↑ "GIANTS GET GLOW UP!". nelsongiants.basketball. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  10. ↑ "2022 SAL'S NBL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED". nznbl.basketball. 9 August 2022. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022.
  11. ↑ Hampson, Matthew (21 March 2024). "Young Nelson Giants squad hopes to 'make a bit of noise'". New Zealand: Stuff. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  12. ↑ Frank, Casey (27 March 2026). "Nelson Giants 2026 Sal's NBL Preview". NZNBL. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  13. ↑ Egan, Brendon (12 October 2019). "New Zealand Breakers assistant Mike Fitchett resigns week out from season". New Zealand: Stuff. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  14. ↑ Price, Josh (14 November 2019). "Basketball: Mike Fitchett explains decision to quit the New Zealand Breakers before start of ANBL season". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  15. ↑ "Flavell Names First Tall Blacks Roster for Asia Cup Qualifiers |Basketball New Zealand". nz.basketball. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  16. ↑ "Strong Tall Blacks Squad Named to take on the Boomers |Basketball New Zealand". nz.basketball. 10 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  17. ↑ "Tall Blacks 12-man squad named for Philippines Showdown in Manila |Basketball New Zealand". nz.basketball. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
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