Steve Nash, a Canadian former professional basketball player, enjoyed an illustrious 18-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Throughout his playing days, he was an eight-time NBA All-Star and a seven-time All-NBA selection.
Twice, Nash was named the NBA Most Valuable Player, an honor he received while playing for the Phoenix Suns. He also served as senior advisor of the Canadian men's national team and as a player development consultant for the Golden State Warriors.
Nash's journey in the NBA began with a stint at Santa Clara, where he graduated as the team's all-time leader in assists. He was subsequently drafted by the Phoenix Suns as the 15th pick in the 1996 NBA draft. Although he made minimal impact in his early years, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 1998.
By his fourth season with the Mavericks, Nash had made a significant impact, earning his first NBA All-Star Game selection and All-NBA recognition. He played alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley, leading the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals the following season.
In 2003-04, Nash returned to the Phoenix Suns, where he led the team to the Western Conference Finals in the 2004-05 season. He was subsequently named the league's MVP, a title he retained in the 2005-06 season. Nash was runner-up for a third consecutive MVP award in 2006-07.
In 2006, Nash was recognized by ESPN as the ninth-greatest point guard of all time. He led the league in assists and free throw percentage at various points in his career and is ranked among the top players in NBA history in three-point shooting, free throw shooting, total assists, and assists per game.
Nash's influence extended beyond the basketball court. In 2006, he was named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2007 and invested to the order in 2016. Nash was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Victoria in 2008.
In addition to his basketball career, Nash has been a co-owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) since the team entered the league in 2011. He served as general manager of the Canadian men's national team from 2012 to 2019, a role he previously held from 1991 to 2003. During his playing days, Nash made one Olympic appearance and was twice named FIBA AmeriCup MVP.
