Single-particle and collective excitations in $^{62}$Ni

{bf Background:} Level sequences of rotational character have been observed in several nuclei in the $A=60$ mass region. The importance of the deformation-driving $pi f_{7/2}$ and $ u g_{9/2}$ orbitals on the onset of nuclear deformation is stressed. {bf Purpose:} A measurement was performed in order to identify collective rotational structures in the relatively neutron-rich $^{62}$Ni isotope. {bf Method:} The $^{26}$Mg($^{48}$Ca,2$alpha$4$ngamma$)$^{62}$Ni complex reaction at beam energies between 275 and 320~MeV was utilized. Reaction products were identified in mass ($A$) and charge ($Z$) with the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA) and $gamma$ rays were detected with the Gammasphere array. {bf Results:} Two collective bands, built upon states of single-particle character, were identified and sizable deformation was assigned to both sequences based on the measured transitional quadrupole moments, herewith quantifying the deformation at high spin. {bf Conclusions:} Based on Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations and comparisons with deformed bands in the $A=60$ mass region, the two rotational bands are understood as being associated with configurations involving multiple $f_{7/2}$ protons and $g_{9/2}$ neutrons, driving the nucleus to sizable prolate deformation.