BIO: Mark Robert Dickel was born in Dunedin, Otago (NZ) and attended Logan Park High School in Dunedin, New Zealand.
In 1993, he joined the Otago Nuggets of the New Zealand National Basketball League and played there until 1996 when he left for college in the United States.
FAMILY: Dickel’s father, Carl, was a New Zealand women’s national basketball team head coach for 10 years and coached the Otago Nuggets for four years from 1994 to 1997.
Dickel’s brother, Richard, is a well known coach in and around Australia and New Zealand, having coached the Waikato Pistons, Otago Nuggets, Southland Sharks and Adelaide Lightning, as well as Southland Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 team’s.
Dickel’s nephew, Luke Aston, also plays in the New Zealand NBL.
Mark Dickel made his NBL debut with the Victoria Titans at 23 years of age. He scored 12 points in his first game.
After three years in the NBA, Chris Anstey returned to play for Brian Goorjian and the Titans. Although Anstey’s signature was a major coup, Victoria also suffered a major loss with Frank Drmic signing with Brisbane. In a surprise move, however, Drmic would exercise a European out clause before the start of the season and head overseas before backflipping, returning to Australia and inking a deal with the Sydney Kings. To fit Anstey in, Victoria released Nathan Taylor (to Melbourne), replaced David Smith with Jason Smith’s older brother Darren and signed Kiwi guard Mark Dickel to replace Drmic.
Dickel, who just graduated from UNLV, was signed as an import player as New Zealand players weren’t considered local players in the NBL until 2003.
Anstey (16.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks) returned a vastly improved player from the NBA, but coach Goorjian surprised many by bringing Anstey off the bench this season, favouring Brett Wheeler (13.0 points, 8.0 rebounds) in the starting line-up as he looked to replicate the success of the double-headed centre that was Anstey and John Dorge during the Magic’s 1996 championship run.
Offensively the Titans were led by Jason Smith (20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists) who put up career high scoring numbers this season, and Tony Ronaldson (16.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists), Darryl McDonald (15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 2.7 steals) and Dickel (13.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists) filled out the remainder of the starting line-up.
As a result of mid-season injuries to Ben Pepper, Chris Anstey and Darren Smith, development players Marcus Wright and Pero Vasiljevic were elevated to the full roster and helped the team finish the season strong. Victoria finished the season in first place (22-6) with Anstey, who was named the Titans MVP despite doing it all coming off the bench, was an easy choice for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year.
This saw them face off against long-time rivals, the sixth-placed Adelaide 36ers and behind a season high scoring performance from Anstey (27 points and collected 16 rebounds) took out game one (101-96). The Sixers, behind star duo Darnell Mee and Kevin Brooks, would then rebound to win games two (96-83) and three (115-103). Mee (22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists) and Brooks (25 points and 7 rebounds) put up big numbers over the three-game series.
As a result of finishing first, the Titans being the highest placed loser in the Qualifying Finals allowed them to proceed to the semi-finals. There they would face the Townsville Crocodiles, led by 37 year old Robert Rose, who had just become the league’s oldest winner of the NBL’s MVP award. Thanks to veteran players Tony Ronaldson (22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists) and Darryl McDonald (20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists) stepped up and delivered a game one win for Victoria (106-97). An injury to Anstey in the early moments of game two saw him miss the remainder of the series, which saw the Titans lose both game two (98-82) and three (101-97). A major factor was Anstey suffering an injury in the early moments of game two which kept him out of both games.
In a twist of fate, the Crocodiles roster was made up of a number of players discarded by Brian Goorjian in recent years. In addition to Rose, both Pat Reidy and Mike Kelly were Titans cast-offs, both playing huge roles in eliminating the Titans. Reidy (19 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists) was an equal game high scorer (with Rose and Andrew Goodwin) in game two, while Kelly (17 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists) was the clear difference maker in the deciding game three.
The Titans falling short of the Grand Final was also the first time a Brian Goorjian team hadn’t reached an NBL Grand Final since 1996 (seven years).
2001/02
After the Titans failed to reach the Grand Final in 2001, the first time a Brian Goorjian team hadn’t reached a NBL Grand Final in seven years. It was decided the triple big man rotation of Chris Anstey, Brett Wheeler, and Ben Pepper wasn’t working, and as a result, Pepper was not re-signed. As a result of Darryl McDonald becoming a naturalised Australian, the team used its second import spot to sign power forward Jamahl Mosely as his replacement. Mark Dickel remained the team’s second import, as New Zealand players were not considered local players until 2003. The Titans’ next moves were replacing Glen Siegle with young guard Nathan Crosswell who had been playing for the Melbourne Tigers state league squad.
Anstey would move into the starting lineup this season, and alongside team captain Tony Ronaldson, Jason Smith, Brad Sheridan and McDonald guide the team to a first place regular season finish for the second year in a row.
The team featured six players scoring in double-figures that year with team captain Ronaldson (19.5 points and 4.5 rebounds) leading the team way. Anstey, who would fill the box score in multiple categories each game, averaging 16.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game resulting in him being awarded the Titans club MVP. Mosely, who averaged 11.5 points and 6.7 rebounds off the bench, become the first import player to win the league’s sixth man of the year award in the process. As well as Jason Smith (18.8 points and 5.4 rebounds), Darryl McDonald (12.0 points and 7.3 assists), Mark Dickel (11.6 points) to round out one of the most productive team rotations in NBL history.
The first stage of the playoffs saw Victoria take on sixth-placed Melbourne and, after winning game one (113-107), went on to lose games two (105–107) and three (103-97). As a result of finishing first, they progressed to the next stage as a result of being the highest-ranked losing team in the Qualifying Finals. This time, facing third-ranked Adelaide this time, the Titans lost game one in Melbourne 92-99, evened the series with a 86-81 win in Adelaide, then lost game three 103-92. The loss would become the last game for the Victoria Titans franchise, with the team falling into financial strife shortly after. The team would sell their licence to a group comprising a number of former North Melbourne Giants staff headed by Peter Fiddes and rebranding to the Victoria Giants.
SYDNEY KINGS
2010/11
In December 2010, Dickel signed with the Sydney Kings for the rest of the 2010/11 NBL season. His debut with the Kings was delayed until 8 January 2011 due to a calf injury. On 30 January 2011, he tore his calf in the final quarter of a 94–91 away loss to the Gold Coast Blaze. He returned on 6 March 2011 and played a further five games.
Mark Dickel played three seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Victoria Titans and the Sydney Kings. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 71 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 45th in assists per game.
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.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010-11 | 34 | Sydney | 8-20 (9) | 9 | 227.0 | 32 | 27 | 44 | 3 | 24 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 24 | 9 | 30 | 30% | 9 | 26 | 35% | 5 | 8 | 63% | 47% | 45% | 9 |
2001-02 | 25 | Victoria | 21-9 (1) | 29 | 965.0 | 336 | 127 | 177 | 24 | 103 | 24 | 8 | 96 | 81 | 102 | 267 | 38% | 35 | 106 | 33% | 97 | 143 | 68% | 50% | 45% | 28 |
2000-01 | 24 | Victoria | 22-6 (1) | 33 | 980.0 | 434 | 100 | 168 | 20 | 80 | 25 | 6 | 95 | 72 | 137 | 343 | 40% | 63 | 181 | 35% | 97 | 139 | 70% | 53% | 49% | 33 | Totals | 71 | 2172 | 802 | 254 | 389 | 47 | 207 | 57 | 15 | 204 | 177 | 248 | 640 | 38.8% | 107 | 313 | 34.2% | 199 | 290 | 68.6% | 52% | 47% | 33 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010-11 | 34 | Sydney | 8-20 (9) | 9 | 25.2 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 4.9 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 30% | 1.0 | 2.9 | 35% | 0.6 | 0.9 | 63% | 47% | 45% | 9 |
2001-02 | 25 | Victoria | 21-9 (1) | 29 | 33.3 | 11.6 | 4.4 | 6.1 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 9.2 | 38% | 1.2 | 3.7 | 33% | 3.3 | 4.9 | 68% | 50% | 45% | 28 |
2000-01 | 24 | Victoria | 22-6 (1) | 33 | 29.7 | 13.2 | 3.0 | 5.1 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 4.2 | 10.4 | 40% | 1.9 | 5.5 | 35% | 2.9 | 4.2 | 70% | 53% | 49% | 33 | Total | 71 | 30.6 | 11.3 | 3.6 | 5.5 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 2.9 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 9.0 | 38.8% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 34.2% | 1.5 | 4.4 | 68.6% | 52% | 47% | 33 |
POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 33 | 11 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
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Dickel was a part of the history making Tall Black squad, whom competed in the countries in their first Olympics tournament in 2000. Their campaign ended in a game between New Zealand and Angola to determined who finish last. Playing off for eleventh spot and neither having won a single game, New Zealand came away victorious with a 70-60 win and finished in eleventh spot.
Dickel again made history, playing on the Tall Black team that not only defeated Australia to earn a spot at the 2002 FIBA World Championships, but went on to reach the bronze medal game. There, New Zealand would fall to Dirk Nowitzki led German team (94-117) to finish fourth, the countries highest finish ever at a major FIBA tournament. Dickel finished the tournament ranked third in assists per game.
Dickel remained a part of the national program for the 2004 Olympic games. There, Tall Blacks failed to win a game in their opening pool, resulting in them facing Australia in a crossover game to determine FIBA rankings. New Zealand then lost to Australia, 98-80, in the classification matches to finish in tenth place.
Dickel was a part of the Tall Blacks squad that competed at the 2006 FIBA World Championships (Japan). There, New Zealand (2–4) made it to the second round before being eliminated by Argentina (62-79). They finished the tournament tied for ninth place. Unfortunately, Dickel only played two matches due to a drug suspension.
Dickel played for the Tall Blacks for more than 100 games.
YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | 30 | 3 | 66 | 25 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 22 | 40.9% | 2 | 10 | 20.0% | 5 | 9 | 55.6% |
2004 | 28 | 6 | 182 | 56 | 21 | 27 | 6 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 40 | 45.0% | 3 | 17 | 17.6% | 17 | 25 | 68.0% |
2002 | 26 | 9 | 234 | 60 | 33 | 41 | 7 | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 23 | 16 | 48 | 33.3% | 10 | 32 | 31.3% | 18 | 26 | 69.2% |
2000 | 24 | 6 | 141 | 52 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 17 | 35 | 48.6% | 5 | 13 | 38.5% | 13 | 14 | 92.9% | Total | 24 | 623 | 193 | 77 | 85 | 16 | 61 | 25 | 0 | 48 | 52 | 60 | 145 | 41% | 20 | 72 | 28% | 53 | 74 | 72% |
YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | 30 | 3 | 22.0 | 8.3 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 7.3 | 40.9% | 0.7 | 3.3 | 20.0% | 1.7 | 3.0 | 55.6% |
2004 | 28 | 6 | 30.3 | 9.3 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 6.7 | 45.0% | 0.5 | 2.8 | 17.6% | 2.8 | 4.2 | 68.0% |
2002 | 26 | 9 | 26.0 | 6.7 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 5.3 | 33.3% | 1.1 | 3.6 | 31.3% | 2.0 | 2.9 | 69.2% |
2000 | 24 | 6 | 23.5 | 8.7 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 5.8 | 48.6% | 0.8 | 2.2 | 38.5% | 2.2 | 2.3 | 92.9% | Total | 24 | 26.0 | 8.0 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 6.0 | 41% | 0.8 | 3.0 | 28% | 2.2 | 3.1 | 72% |
In 1998, off-season, following the conclusion of his sophomore season, Dickel and played for the Wellington Saints during US colleges summer break.
After graduating from UNLV and going undrafted in the 2000 NBA draft, Dickel returned to New Zealand and joined the North Harbour Kings for the last two games of the 2000 NZNBL season.
Dickel played in Australia from 2000-02 before returning to play in New Zealand, this time signing with the Wellington Saints.
Dickel would play in Istanbul for Fenerbahce during the 2002/03 season. There, he led the league in assists with 5.6 per game.
During the European off-season he returned to New Zealand and played for the Otago Nuggets for his second stint with the club. Later, in mid-2003, he signed with Telindus Oostende of Belgium for the 2003/04 season. In December 2003, he left Oostende to re-joined Fenerbahçe for the rest of the 2003/04 season.
In mid-2004, he returned to Turkey, signing with Erdemirspor of Turkey for the remainder of the 2004/05 season. In 24 games, he averaged 19.3ppg, 4.1rpg, and 8.7apg.
In 2005, he signed a two-year deal with Lokomotiv Rostov of Russia.
In August 2006, Dickel returned a positive drug test for cannabis use and was suspended by Basketball New Zealand for two matches against Qatar. FIBA imposed a additional 10-day suspension, meaning Dickel missed the first three matches of the 2006 FIBA World Championship. The suspension subsequently made Lokomotiv terminate the second year of his two-year contract and in September 2006, he signed with WTK Anwil Włocławek of Poland for the 2006/07 season.
In January 2007, he left Włocławek and signed with Maroussi B.C. of Greece. However, after just one game, he was forced to leave after a season-ending back injury.
In July 2007, Dickel signed with reigning German BBL champions Brose Baskets Bamberg. In January 2008, Dickel left Brose Baskets Bamberg following the end of Euroleague play and returned to Turkey, signing with Selçuk Üniversitesi BK for the rest of the 2007/08 season.
In January 2009, Dickel signed with the Trikala 2000 B.C. of Greece for the rest of the 2008/09 season. In 14 games, he averaged 7.1 points per game to help Trikala avoid relegation.
In December 2009, Dickel re-signed with Trikala for the rest of the 2009/10 season.
In November 2010, Dickel signed with the Southland Sharks for the 2011 New Zealand NBL season, which saw him play under his brother, Richard.
In September 2011, Dickel signed a two-year deal with the Otago Nuggets. He also took up the role of Basketball Otagos director of development.
In 2013 Dickel averaged 8.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 7.8 assists across 17 games for Otago and led the league in assists.
In 2014 Mark Dickel averaged 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and led the league in assists again, dishing out 8.7 assists per game.
Dickel played college basketball at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 1996 to 2000, tying for the team lead in assists his freshman year of 1996/97 and leading the team in that category in his remaining three seasons. In his senior year of 1999–2000, his 9.0 assists per game led NCAA Division I men's basketball, and he finished his career third on the school's all-time list for total assists. In 2000, Dickel was named a Associated Press All-American.
- Eurocup All-Star (2006)
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Turkish League assists leader (2005)
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NZNBL All-Star Five (2002)
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2× NZNBL assist champion (1998, 2014)
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NZNBL Rookie of the Year (1993)
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Second-team All-Mountain West (2000)
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WAC Pacific Division Freshman of the Year (1997)
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NCAA season assists leader (2000)
Upon retirement Dickel moved into coaching. Dickel was the head coach of the Albanian national team from 2010 to 2011.
On 15 August 2014, Dickel was named the head coach of the Canterbury Rams, effectively ending his 21-year playing career after signing a two-year deal with the club. He acted as coach from 2015-2018. He then worked as a team consultant of the TNT KaTropa of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) from 2018-2020.
In January 2020, Dickel was named interim coach of the Philippine national team for the first window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
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