Scott Fitch, the longtime Fairport boys’ basketball coach, stepped onto the international stage this summer as the head of the USA Basketball U17 Men’s National Team, guiding the squad to a gold medal at the 2026 FIBA U17 World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey.
The championship clash against Serbia ended in a decisive 107‑81 victory, completing a flawless 7‑0 run through the competition and marking the United States’ eighth consecutive gold at the event.
Two of Fitch’s players earned spots on the tournament’s All‑Star Five, with forward CJ Rosser leading the team with 23 points in the final and coach Fitch highlighting the chemistry that defined the group.
Reflecting on the achievement, Fitch described standing atop the podium as a ‘surreal moment’, noting the unique responsibility and pressure that accompany coaching Team USA and the emphasis he places on the little details that elevate performance.
The coach also spoke about his upcoming involvement in an invite‑only camp in Colorado in October, a platform he uses to further develop talent and continue his tradition of mentorship that began with early successes at the 2025 FIBA U16 Men’s AmeriCup.
A Coach’s Philosophy and Legacy
Fitch’s approach blends rigorous preparation with a focus on team cohesion, a strategy that has yielded multiple Section V titles at Fairport and earned him recognition as a first‑team All‑Greater Rochester selection during his own playing days at Geneseo.