Vickerman has signed a new three-year deal as he prepares to guide the defending NBL champions in their season opener against Illawarra on Friday.

His first season at the club also contained a minor premiership win and matches against NBA sides Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers.

"I'm extremely excited to be at this club for an extended period of time and to continue to try and lead from the front," Vickerman said.

"When you do sign a long-term deal, you can really start to set up annual events so that you're not only doing the coaching but you're impacting the community over a long period of time too."

Australian Associated Press