Canada Basketball – TORONTO, Ont. (March 31, 2018) – Canada Basketball would like to congratulate Steve Nash on his nomination into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Selected 15th overall by Phoenix in the 1996 NBA Draft, Nash enjoyed a 19-year playing career in the NBA with the Suns (1996-1998, 2004-2012), Dallas Mavericks (1998-2004), and Los Angeles Lakers (2012-2015).

Born in South Africa and raised in Victoria, B.C., Nash earned league MVP honors in back-to-back seasons (2005,2006) with the Suns, becoming just the 10th player in NBA history to win the award in consecutive seasons and first Canadian to earn the prestigious Maurice Podoloff Trophy. 

An eight-time NBA All-Star (2002-2003, 2005-2008, 2010, 2012), Nash, a 6’3″ point guard, was also a three-time All-NBA First Team member (2005-2007).

Nash finished his career ranked third all-time with 10,335 assists after leading the NBA in Assists Per Game for five seasons (2005-2007, 2010, 2011).  In 1,217 regular-season games, Nash averaged 14.3 points, 8.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 31.3 minutes per contest.  He also appeared in 120 playoff games, averaging 17.3 points and 8.8 assists.

Prior to his illustrious NBA career, Nash attended St. Michael’s University School in Victoria, where he helped the Blue Jags win a provincial championship in his senior season. 

Following his high school career, Nash attended Santa Clara University (1992-1996) where he was named a two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year (1994-95, 1995-96).  In one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, Nash and 15th-seeded Broncos upset the No. 2 seeded Arizona Wildcats.

Representing Canada internationally for over ten years, Nash is best remembered for leading the team to the quarter-finals of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.  He also earned FIBA Americas MVP honours in 1999 and 2003. In 2012, Nash returned to the team as the General Manager of the senior men’s national team.

One of Canada’s most decorated athletes, Nash received the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s athlete of the year in 2005 and was a three-time Lionel Conacher Award recipient as Canadian male athlete of the year.

A leader both on and off the court, the Steve Nash Foundation assists underserved children in their health, personal development, education and enjoyment of life, while the Steve Nash Youth Basketball program has over 19,000 participants enrolled across Canada.

Nash joins fellow Canadians Dr. James Naismith (Inventor – 1959), Ernest C. Quigley (Official – 1961), Peter F. “Pete” Newell (Coach – 1979) and Robert J. “Bobby” Houbregs (Player – 1987), to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

QUOTES

“Steve Nash’s impact on Canadian basketball may never be fully articulated. His level of competitiveness drove Team Canada to win some great games and yet his biggest contribution may be how he has inspired the following generations to pick up a basketball.  From a kid growing up in Victoria to “Captain Canada,” on behalf of all Canadian basketball fans, congratulations Steve on this remarkable accomplishment.” – Michele O’Keefe, President & CEO, Canada Basketball. 

“Steve has been a trailblazer for the game of basketball in Canada and worldwide. He was a consummate professional and a tremendous example of what can be achieved with hard work, discipline and true belief in yourself. As a friend that grew with him from our teenage years, and on behalf of our men’s high performance team at Canada Basketball, we wish Steve a heartfelt congratulations on his induction to the Hall of Fame.” – Rowan Barrett, Assistant GM/Executive VP, Senior Men’s Program.

“I couldn’t be happier for Steve to be recognized like this.  Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a tremendous honour for not only Steve, but for Canadian Basketball, and for all Canadians who have followed his career.  A two-time NBA MVP, a member of the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honour and a Canadian Olympian, but there is no greater tribute than being selected to the Hall of Fame. It is an incredible achievement, for Steve, and for all Canadians. He was a great player, but also great leader, and teammate.” – Jay Triano, Head Coach, Senior Men’s National Team / Head Coach, Phoenix Suns.

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Matt Walker, mwalker@basketball.ca