That day has arrived.
The Dunedin-born 34-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Nuggets and will also take on the role of Basketball Otago's director of development.
At the top of his game, Dickel, who got his start with the Nuggets as a teenager in 1993, was lightning quick and had a precision passing game few could rival.
He played professionally in Turkey, Belgium, Russia, Poland, Greece and Germany. He had a long international career with the Tall Blacks, including two Olympic and two World Championship campaigns, and enjoyed a distinguished college career with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, leading the NCAA division 1 for assists in his final year.
He blotted his copybook in August 2006 when he returned a positive test for cannabis and was banned for two games by Basketball New Zealand. The game's international governing body imposed a further 10-day ban, which meant he missed the first three games at the 2006 World Championships.
Dickel returned to New Zealand this year to play for the Southland Sharks, coached by his brother, Richard Dickel.
Mark's father, Carl Dickel, played cricket and basketball for Otago and Mark still has many ties to the region. His relationship with Nuggets coach Alf Arlidge and Basketball Otago general manager Markham Brown made the decision to move back to Dunedin much easier, he said.
"Obviously, the relationship with Alfie and Brownie made it easy. I've known them since I was a little kid," Dickel said.
"And I just felt like it was time. Obviously, I'm getting older and I always wanted to come back and play in Otago one day.
"And I figure, if I don't do it now and take this chance to give [something] back, then it is going to be gone forever, right?"
Dickel's return is a huge coup for the franchise. The Nuggets have struggled to recruit and retain talent during a desperate 14-year period which has seen the team slump from powerhouse to punchbag.
Talented centre Craig Bradshaw is also making noises about returning, so the Nuggets roster is shaping up well.
It is also a good opportunity for Dickel, who wants to move into coaching as his playing career winds up. He coached the Albanian national side last year and has ambitions to coach in the United States.
Dickel's wife, Ashley, and children, Jalen (6), Madden (4) and Boston (3), will arrive in Dunedin in about a month.
