NBL Awards Finalists: The Hits, The Misses, and the Biggest Snubs
February 9, 2025
Dean Vickerman
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 5/07/71
- Place of Birth: Warragul (VIC)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 180
- Weight (KG): 78
- Junior Assoc: VIC - Warragul
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 16/09/90
- AGE AT DEBUT: 19
- LAST NBL GAME: 30/10/92
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 21
- NBL History: Melbourne 1990-92
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Dean Vickerman was born in Warragul (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Warragul basketball program.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Dean Vickerman made his NBL debut with the Melbourne Tigers at 19 years of age. He scored one point in his first NBL game.
Melbourne looked to build on their first-ever playoff appearance in 1990, re-signing their core while upgrading from departing swingman Eric Bailey (Gold Coast) to Cecil Exum (via North Melbourne). Imports Dave Colbert and Dave Simmons also returned, while Andrew Gaze, fresh off a stint with Seton Hall and a near-miss with the Seattle Supersonics, was primed for a huge season.
Gaze (37.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 2.6 steals), Colbert (31.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists), and Simmons (27.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) combined for an explosive 96 points per game. However, Melbourne’s momentum was derailed when Gaze was diagnosed with a blood clot in his shoulder, forcing him to miss the final two regular-season games and the playoffs.
Despite finishing fourth (17-9), the Tigers fell to fifth-seed Perth in the elimination finals. Colbert exploded for 52 points, but Perth’s Ricky Grace (30 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) orchestrated a dominant 122-100 win. In Game 2, Colbert (42 points) and Simmons (29 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists) delivered big performances, but Perth shut down the rest of the Tigers, sealing Melbourne’s fate with a 123-113 victory.
Vickerman saw limited action, appearing in just one game for the season.
1991
Melbourne had become a formidable team by 1991, and had it not been for a blood clot that derailed Andrew Gaze’s season, could have seen a deep playoff run from the Tigers. This year would see the trio of Gaze (38.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.7 steals), David Cobert (24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks) and Dave Simmons (24.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks) get the chance to see how far they could go with a full season together. Melbourne was also boosted by the emergence of Stephen Whitehead (9.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals), who would double his production with a shift to the team’s starting lineup.
The Tigers made history this season when they faced off against Illawarra and recorded the highest scoring game in NBL history (Jul 27). The game saw 344 points scored, and the Tigers come out as victors (186-158). Gaze (59 points, 11 assists, and 4 steals), Colbert (42 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists) and Simmons (36 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists) doing the bulk of the scoring for Melbourne and Patric Fairs (41 points and 10 rebounds) and Greg Hubbard (36 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists) top scoring for Illawarra, who shot 76% from the field, which remains the highest shooting percentage ever recorded by a team in a losing effort.
Once into the playoffs, Melbourne would lose game one (115-129) and game two (96-132) to Adelaide in the elimination finals. The scoring brilliance of Gaze, combined with the Tigers’ regular season success, was enough to earn him the NBL Most Valuable Player award for the first time. Gaze would then take home the NBL MVP award in seven of his next eight seasons. Vickerman would continue to see limited opportunities to play, appearing in 11 games and averaging 0.7 points, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.3 assists for the season.
1992
In 1992, the Tigers made a pivotal roster change by replacing forward David Colbert with former NBA guard Lanard Copeland. This move paired Copeland with Andrew Gaze in the backcourt, forming one of the most electrifying duos in NBL history. Gaze led the league in scoring, averaging 33.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, while Copeland showcased his NBA pedigree with impressive averages of 28.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
To bolster their interior presence, the Tigers acquired Robert Sibley from Brisbane, leading to a talent swap as Brisbane signed free agent Colbert. Sibley integrated well into the frontcourt, contributing 11.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Additionally, the talented young swingman Stephen Whitehead saw a boost in his numbers for the third consecutive season, averaging 13.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.
With this revamped roster, the Tigers adopted a faster playing style, culminating in their highest regular-season finish to date with a 15-9 record, securing the third spot. In the postseason, Melbourne eliminated Perth (2-1) in the quarterfinals and the Sydney Kings (2-1) in the semifinals, advancing to their first Grand Final series in franchise history. Facing crosstown rivals, the South East Melbourne Magic, Gaze delivered 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in Game 1, leading the Tigers to a commanding 116-98 victory. However, the Magic rebounded to win the next two games, clinching the 1992 NBL championship (2-1).
During this season, Dean Vickerman appeared in only four games for the Tigers, contributing a total of 10 points. Perhaps his most notable game this season came in a practice game, Copeland’s first after his arrival in Australia. In that game Vickerman dropped 32 points against a jet-lagged Copeland who had arrived at training exhausted after a 30 hour flight from Atlanta to Melbourne. Copeland later reflected on this experience, acknowledging Vickerman’s tenacity and hinting at his future coaching prowess. He described Vickerman as “one of those guards that was always up and in, one of those little nagging guards that bothered you.”
Vickerman’s playing style and work ethic during his time with the Tigers laid the foundation for his future coaching career, characterized by a no-nonsense approach and the ability to extract the best from his players. His journey from a determined player to a respected coach underscores his deep understanding of the game and his commitment to excellence.
Dean Vickerman played three seasons the Melbourne Tigers. He averaged 1.1 points, 0.1 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 16 NBL games.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 21 | Melbourne | 15-9 (3) | 4 | 12.0 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 60% | 2 | 2 | 100% | 2 | 3 | 67% | 78% | 0% | 5 |
| 1991 | 20 | Melbourne | 16-10 (5) | 11 | 29.0 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 17% | 0 | 4 | 0% | 4 | 6 | 67% | 27% | 17% | 6 |
| 1990 | 19 | Melbourne | 17-9 (4) | 1 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 50% | 26% | 0% | 1 | Totals | 16 | 44 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 27.8% | 2 | 6 | 33.3% | 7 | 11 | 63.6% | 42% | 33% | 6 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 21 | Melbourne | 15-9 (3) | 4 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 60% | 0.5 | 0.5 | 100% | 0.5 | 0.8 | 67% | 78% | 0% | 5 |
| 1991 | 20 | Melbourne | 16-10 (5) | 11 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 17% | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0% | 0.4 | 0.5 | 67% | 27% | 17% | 6 |
| 1990 | 19 | Melbourne | 17-9 (4) | 1 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 2.0 | 50% | 26% | 0% | 1 | Total | 16 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 27.8% | 0.0 | 33.3% | 0.1 | 0.4 | 63.6% | 42% | 33% | 6 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Frankston 1993
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Beyond his NBL coaching success, Vickerman has also been heavily involved in international basketball. In 2023, he was appointed head coach of the Australian Boomers for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, and in 2025, he was named associate head coach under Adam Caporn. His ability to develop elite talent, build winning cultures, and maintain defensive excellence has earned him widespread respect, with coaching legend Brian Goorjian praising his leadership and impact on Australian basketball.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 20% | 28% | 45% | 0% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 5 | 18 | 27.8% | 2 | 6 | 33.3% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 21 | Melbourne | 15-9 (3) | 4 | 12.0 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 60% | 2 | 2 | 100% | 2 | 3 | 67% | 78% | 0% | 5 |
| 1991 | 20 | Melbourne | 16-10 (5) | 11 | 29.0 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 17% | 0 | 4 | 0% | 4 | 6 | 67% | 27% | 17% | 6 |
| 1990 | 19 | Melbourne | 17-9 (4) | 1 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 50% | 26% | 0% | 1 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
COACHING HISTORY
Dean Vickerman has established himself as one of the most accomplished coaches in NBL history, with a résumé that boasts multiple championships and Coach of the Year honors. His coaching journey began as an assistant under Brett Brown with the North Melbourne Giants before transitioning into head coaching roles in the state leagues.
He led the Rockhampton Rockets for two seasons before joining the Sydney Panthers as an assistant. In 2002, he was appointed head coach of the Wellington Saints but departed early in the 2003 season due to financial instability at the club.
Vickerman’s coaching success started to take shape in 2004 when he guided Melbourne University to a Big V title. His success led to two seasons as an assistant with the NBL team he had played for, the Melbourne Tigers. He was part of the coaching staff from 2004 to 2006, helping the team secure the 2006 NBL championship. He then moved to Singapore to join the Slingers as an assistant coach while also taking charge of the Singapore national team.
At the beginning of the 2007 season, Vickerman took on the head coaching role at the Latrobe City Pacers in the Big V before leaving halfway through the season to accept an assistant coaching position with the New Zealand Breakers. During his tenure with the Breakers, he was part of a dominant era, winning three consecutive NBL championships (2011, 2012, 2013) under Andrej Lemanis. His contributions as an assistant helped establish New Zealand as a force in the league.
During his time with the Breakers, he also served as head coach of the Waikato Pistons in the New Zealand NBL during the offseason, coaching the team in 2007 and 2009, when they won the 2009 championship. He earned NZNBL Coach of the Year honors twice (2009, 2011). His continued success saw him elevated to head coach of the New Zealand Breakers in 2013. In his first season in charge, he led the Breakers to their fourth NBL championship in five years (2015), solidifying his reputation as an elite coach.
After two seasons as head coach with the Breakers, an inability to return to the Grand Final saw him replaced by Paul Henare. Without an NBL team, he was offered a spot as an assistant coach with the Sydney Kings a few weeks later by his former Melbourne Tigers teammates from his playing days, Andrew Gaze and Lanard Copeland, who were the existing coaching staff at the time.
During that period, Melbourne United had struggled to find a long-term coach since the team had rebranded from the Tigers. Chris Anstey, Darryl McDonald, and Dean Demopoulos all had stints as head coach, but their inability to deliver playoff success saw them all released within two years or less.
Vickerman’s success in New Zealand and his status as arguably the highest-credentialed assistant in the NBL in 2016 led to his appointment as head coach of Melbourne United in 2017.
Since taking over United, Vickerman has transformed the franchise into a defensive powerhouse and perennial title contender. His impact was immediate, guiding Melbourne to an NBL championship in 2018, followed by another in 2021. His coaching excellence was recognized with back-to-back NBL Coach of the Year awards in 2018 and 2019, and he added a third in 2024, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s best tacticians.
With three NBL championships (2015, 2018, 2021), three NBL Coach of the Year awards (2018, 2019, 2024), and multiple titles at the assistant level—including four NBL championships (2006, 2011, 2012, 2013) and a WNBL championship (2001)—Vickerman has built a legacy of sustained success. His leadership at Melbourne United continues to shape the NBL, making the club a perennial contender and further cementing his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in league history.
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