Steve Nash

Steve Nash is a former professional basketball player and current coach in the National Basketball Association. Most of his basketball career was spent with the Phoenix Suns.

In 2005 and 2006, he was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. He is also an eight-time NBA All-Star and he is a recipient of the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor. He was also named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Stephen John Nash was born on February 7, 1974, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He stands 191 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 81 kg. His mother is Welsh while his father is English. When he was a baby, the family moved from South Africa and settled in British Columbia.

When he was younger, he played football and ice hockey. He did not play basketball until he was a teen. Growing up, he was neighbors with Russ Courtnall and Geoff Courtnall who would go on to play in the NFL. He used to be married to Alejandra Amarilla. They divorced soon after. He later married Lilla Frederick.

High School and College Career

He attended the Mount Douglas Secondary School and later moved to the St. Michaels University School.

At St. Michael’s he played basketball, football, and rugby. In his senior year, he was not recruited heavily. He was later offered a scholarship by Santa Clara University. He played with the team from 1992 to 1996.

While in college, he was named the WCC Player of the Year twice. After he retired, Santa Clara retired his Jersey Number.

Professional Career

He joined the NBA during the 1996 NBA Draft. He was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round and he was the 15th overall pick of that draft. He wasn’t received with much fanfare by Suns fans because Nash was a relative unknown.

In 1998, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. That is where he established himself as a top player. He stayed with the team through 2004. In 2002, he was named an NBA All-Star for the first time. Also in 2002, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

In 2004, he returned to the Suns, and in 2005, he was named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the first time. He was named the MVP again in 2006. Also in 2005, he was named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time. He was also again named an NBA All-Star that year.

He played with the Suns through to 2012. In the 2012-2013 season, he was acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers. In July 2014, he announced that his last season was going to be the 2014-2015 season. However, he was ruled out for the rest of the season because of a back injury.

After he retired in 2015, he took on consulting duties for the Golden State Warriors. He was a consultant for the team when they won the 2017 and 2018 championships. From 2020 to 2022, he was the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2020.

Career Highlights

• 2005, 2006 - NBA Most Valuable Player
• 2002, 2003, 2005–2008, 2010, 2012 -NBA All-Star
• 2005–2007 - All-NBA First Team
• 2008, 2010 - All-NBA Second Team
• 2002, 2003 - All-NBA Third Team
• 2005–2007, 2010, 2011 - NBA assists leader
• 2006, 2008–2010 - 50–40–90 club
• Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor
• NBA 75th Anniversary Team

• 1999, 2003 - FIBA AmeriCup MVP
• 2005 - Lou Marsh Trophy
• 2002, 2005, 2006 - Lionel Conacher Award

• 1995, 1996 - WCC Player of the Year
• No. 11 retired by Santa Clara Broncos

• Basketball Hall of Fame - 2018
• FIBA Hall of Fame – 2020

Medal Record

• Silver - 1999 San Juan FIBA AmeriCup, Representing Canada
• Bronze - 2001 Neuquén FIBA AmeriCup, Representing Canada

Team History:

As Consultant:

• 2017, 2018 - NBA champion; Golden State Warriors

As Coach:

• 2020–2022 - Brooklyn Nets