Chico Fletcher
Chico Fletcher | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 25, 1977 Osceola, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Basketball player |
| Years active | 1996–2001 |
| Known for | Collegiate basketball at Arkansas State University; twice Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year |
Chico Fletcher (born October 25, 1977) is a former American basketball athlete recognized primarily for his collegiate tenure at Arkansas State University. From the 1996–97 season through 1999–2000, Fletcher amassed a total of 893 assists, placing him 11th all-time in NCAA Division I history upon completing his college career. He earned the Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year distinction twice and was instrumental in guiding Arkansas State to its inaugural and sole NCAA tournament appearance during his junior year.
Measuring 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds, Fletcher played as a point guard. Hailing from Osceola, Arkansas, he was originally recruited to join Arkansas State's football program but transitioned to basketball following a shoulder injury. Starting as a walk-on, he became a vital contributor midway through the 1996–97 season, starting the final 20 games and leading the Sun Belt Conference with an average of 6.3 assists per game.
In his second year, Fletcher continued to top the conference in assists while helping Arkansas State achieve a 20–9 record—their first season with 20 wins in seven years—and earned the Sun Belt Player of the Year award. During the 1998–99 junior campaign, he averaged 17.0 points alongside 8.3 assists per game, ranking second nationally behind Doug Gottlieb. He established school records by dishing out 250 assists in one season and recording 17 assists in a single contest against TCU. Fletcher was honored as the MVP of the Sun Belt tournament after leading Arkansas State to victory over Western Kentucky, clinching their NCAA tournament berth. Although the team was defeated by Utah in the opening round, Fletcher secured his second straight Sun Belt Player of the Year accolade.
In his final collegiate season, Fletcher maintained an average of 8.3 assists per game—third highest in Division I—but the team concluded with a 10–18 record and he did not receive another conference player of the year award. After going undrafted in the 2000 NBA draft, he signed with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the Continental Basketball Association and competed for one season.