Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Steve Nash

Discover the career path of Steve Nash, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Steve Nash is a retired Canadian professional basketball player and former head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Renowned for his exceptional playmaking skills and shooting accuracy, he spent 18 seasons in the NBA, earning eight All-Star selections, seven All-NBA honors, and two NBA Most Valuable Player awards. He's considered one of the best in NBA history in three-point shooting, free-throw shooting, total assists, and assists per game. Nash was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1986: Ranked Second in Point-Assist Double Doubles

Starting from the 1986-87 season, Steve Nash ranked second in regular season point–assist double doubles.

1991: Began playing for Canadian men's national basketball team

In 1991, Steve Nash began playing for the Canadian men's national basketball team.

1991: Summer Universiade Silver Medal

In 1991, at the age of 17, Steve Nash was the youngest member of Team Canada at the Summer Universiade, where the team won a silver medal.

1991: Led Team to Provincial Championship

In the 1991–92 season, Steve Nash led his team to the British Columbia AAA provincial championship title.

1992: Awarded Scholarship by Santa Clara

In the 1992–93 season, Steve Nash was awarded a scholarship by Santa Clara.

1993: National Team and Universiade

In 1993, while in college, Steve Nash played for the senior national team at the Tournament of the Americas and competed in the Canada Games and Summer Universiade, where he won a bronze medal at the Canada Games and a silver medal at the Summer Universiade.

1993: Suns Reached Western Conference Finals

In 2005, Nash led the Suns to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1993, but lost to the eventual NBA Champions, the San Antonio Spurs.

1994: Jason Kidd Drafted to NBA

In 1994, Jason Kidd was the second overall pick in the NBA draft and already an All-Star when he arrived at Phoenix.

1995: Considered Turning Professional

After the 1994-95 season, Nash contemplated turning professional but decided against it when he learned that he would probably not be considered as a first-round pick in the 1995 NBA draft.

1995: Attracted Attention of National Media

In the 1995–96 season, Steve Nash began attracting the attention of the national media and professional scouts.

1996: Drafted by the Phoenix Suns

In 1996, Steve Nash was drafted as the 15th pick in the NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns.

1998: First Year as a Maverick

During Steve Nash's first year as a Maverick in the 1998–99 season, he started in all 40 games and averaged 7.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.

1998: Traded to the Dallas Mavericks

Following the 1998 NBA draft, Steve Nash was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Dallas Mavericks.

1999: Tournament of the Americas MVP

In 1999, Steve Nash led Canada to a silver medal at the Tournament of the Americas, which qualified the team for the Olympics for the first time in 12 years. Nash was also named the tournament MVP.

1999: Mavericks Fail to Make Playoffs

In 1999, The 19–31 Mavericks failed to make the 1999 playoffs, but in the 1999–2000 season, the team's prospects improved considerably.

2000: Sydney Olympics

At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Steve Nash led Canada to win their round robin group including a victory over Spain and Yugoslavia. Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinals with a five-point loss to France. Despite the loss, Nash's performance at the 2000 Olympics elevated him to stardom in Canada.

2000: Improved Team Prospects

In the 1999-2000 season, the Dallas Mavericks' prospects improved considerably, though Nash missed 25 mid-season games due to an ankle injury.

2000: Breakout Season

In the 2000–01 season, Steve Nash averaged 15.6 points and 7.3 assists per game, marking a breakout season.

2001: Founds Steve Nash Foundation

In 2001, Steve Nash founded the Steve Nash Foundation, which focuses on fostering health in kids by funding projects that provide services to children affected by poverty, illness, abuse, or neglect, and create opportunities for education, play, and empowerment.

2001: Playoff Berth and Semifinals Loss

In 2001, With Nash directing the team's offense, the Mavericks earned a playoff berth for the first time in more than a decade but lost in the Western Conference Semifinals.

2002: All-Star and All-NBA Third Team Honors

In the 2002–03 season, Steve Nash replicated his previous season's performance and earned All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honours.

2003: Became a free agent

After the 2003–04 season, Nash became a free agent, negotiating contracts with the Mavericks and Phoenix Suns.

2003: Free Agency and Return to Phoenix Suns

After the 2003–04 season, Steve Nash became a free agent and returned to the Phoenix Suns.

2003: Western Conference Finals Appearance

In 2003, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to the Western Conference finals, where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs.

2003: End of Career With Canadian National Team

In 2003, Steve Nash played his last game for the Canadian men's national basketball team.

2003: Suns Record

In 2003, before Steve Nash returned to the Phoenix Suns, the team had a 29–53 record.

November 2004: Nash's Performance against Los Angeles Clippers

On November 21, 2004, Steve Nash recorded 22 points, 18 assists, and 4 steals in a 122–111 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

2004: Signed with the Phoenix Suns

After failing to reach an agreement with the Dallas Mavericks, Nash signed with the Phoenix Suns for the 2004–05 season.

2004: Averaged 11.5 assists per game

In 2004, Steve Nash averaged 11.5 assists per game. During his career, Nash led the league in assists for five years, and he won the NBA Skills Challenge in 2005 and 2010.

2004: FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament

In 2004, Steve Nash led Team Canada during qualifying for the Summer Olympics at the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He led the tournament in assists and was named tournament MVP, but Canada finished fourth, missing out on the Olympic spots. That was the last time Nash played for Canada as he was reportedly upset about the firing of head coach Jay Triano in 2004.

2004: Return to Phoenix and Conference Finals

In 2004, Steve Nash returned to Phoenix and helped the Suns improve from a 29–53 record in 2003–04 to 62–20 in 2004–05, reaching the conference finals for the first time in 11 years, and earning his first MVP award.

2004: Charitable Status

In 2004, the Steve Nash Foundation was given charitable status, allowing it to focus its resources on communities in Arizona and British Columbia.

2004: Playoffs and Free Throw Accuracy

The 2003-04 season saw a dip in Nash's scoring contributions. Nash achieved new career highs in assists per game (8.8) and free throw accuracy (91.6%).

2005: NBA Skills Challenge

In 2005, Steve Nash won the NBA Skills Challenge.

2005: Conference Finals and MVP Award

In 2005, after Steve Nash returned to the Phoenix Suns in 2004, the team reached the conference finals for the first time in 11 years and he earned his first MVP award.

2006: Averaged 10.5 assists per game

In 2006, Steve Nash averaged 10.5 assists per game. During his career, Nash led the league in assists for five years, and he won the NBA Skills Challenge in 2005 and 2010.

2006: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2006, Time magazine recognized Steve Nash as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for his philanthropic contributions.

2006: Named League MVP Again

In the 2005–06 season, Steve Nash was named MVP for the second consecutive year.

September 2007: Charity Event in China

In September 2007, Steve Nash and Yao Ming headlined a group of NBA players who travelled to China and played an exhibition game with the Chinese national basketball team. The charity event reportedly raised 2.5 million dollars for Chinese children in need.

December 2007: Nash's Retirement from Team Canada

In December 2007, Steve Nash stated that he would no longer play for Team Canada.

2007: Averaged 11.6 assists per game

In 2007, Steve Nash averaged 11.6 assists per game. During his career, Nash led the league in assists for five years, and he won the NBA Skills Challenge in 2005 and 2010.

2007: Expressed interest in Tottenham Hotspur ownership

In 2007, Steve Nash expressed his lifelong support for Tottenham Hotspur and stated his interest in owning a minority stake in the club after his basketball career ended. He emphasized his North London roots and desire to contribute to the club's success, not for financial gain.

2007: Appointed to the Order of Canada

In 2007, Steve Nash was appointed to the Order of Canada for his contributions to basketball and philanthropy.

2007: Wrote and produced Nike commercial "Training Day"

In 2007, Steve Nash wrote and produced an 81-second commercial for Nike titled "Training Day", directed by Julian Schnabel's daughter Lola, which gained popularity as a viral video on YouTube.

July 2008: Joins Vancouver Whitecaps Ownership Group

In July 2008, Steve Nash joined the USL-1's Vancouver Whitecaps team's ownership group.

2008: 50-40-90 Club Member

In 2008, Steve Nash accomplished the feat of shooting 50% or better from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line, making him a member of the 50-40-90 club.

2008: Co-hosted Showdown in Chinatown charity soccer game

In 2008, Steve Nash co-hosted Showdown in Chinatown, an 8-on-8 charity soccer game at Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Nash scored two goals in his team's 8–5 victory. Participants included Thierry Henry, Jason Kidd, Baron Davis and Suns teammates Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa.

2008: Steve Patterson Award

In 2008, the Steve Nash Foundation was awarded the Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy, recognizing its contributions to fostering health in kids.

March 2009: Invests in Women's Professional Soccer

In March 2009, Steve Nash, along with former Yahoo! president Jeff Mallett, invested in Women's Professional Soccer.

March 2009: Vancouver Named as Future MLS Expansion City

In March 2009, Vancouver was officially named as a future MLS expansion city, set to join the league in 2011. Steve Nash occasionally attends practice for his co-owned team, called Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

2009: League Leader in Field Goal Percentage

Between the 2005–06 and 2009–10 seasons, with Steve Nash operating at the point, the Phoenix Suns led the league in field goal percentage.

2009: 50-40-90 Club Member

In 2009, Steve Nash accomplished the feat of shooting 50% or better from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line, making him a member of the 50-40-90 club.

2010: NBA Skills Challenge and Averaged 11.0 assists per game

In 2010, Steve Nash won the NBA Skills Challenge and also averaged 11.0 assists per game. During his career, Nash led the league in assists for five years, and he won the NBA Skills Challenge in 2005 and 2010.

2011: MLS Expansion City

In 2011, Vancouver was officially named as a MLS expansion city, set to join the league. Steve Nash occasionally attends practice for his co-owned team, called Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

May 2012: Women's Professional Soccer Folds

In May 2012, Women's Professional Soccer, a league that Steve Nash invested in, folded.

May 2012: Nash Becomes General Manager of Canadian National Team

On 8 May 2012, Steve Nash became the general manager of the Canadian senior national team. He subsequently rehired Jay Triano as head coach three months later in 2012.

2012: Career Free Throw Shooting Average

As of the end of the 2012–13 season, Steve Nash had a 90.4% career free throw shooting average, formerly the best in NBA history.

2012: General Manager of Canadian National Team

From 2012, Steve Nash served as the general manager of the Canadian men's national basketball team.

2013: Career Free Throw Shooting Average

As of the end of the 2012–13 season, Steve Nash had a 90.4% career free throw shooting average, formerly the best in NBA history.

January 2016: Purchases Stake in La Liga Club Mallorca

On 5 January 2016, Steve Nash was part of a group that purchased a $21 million stake in La Liga club Mallorca. The group also included Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, Suns vice chairman Andy Kohlberg and former players of the United States national soccer team Stuart Holden and Kyle Martino.

2016: Invested to the Order of Canada

In 2016, Steve Nash was invested to the Order of Canada, formalizing his appointment from 2007.

March 2019: Transition to Senior Advisor Role

On 5 March 2019, Steve Nash transitioned to a senior advisor role with the Canadian national team. He was succeeded as general manager by Rowan Barrett, his former national team teammate.

2019: End of role as General Manager of Canadian National Team

Steve Nash served as general manager of the Canadian men's national basketball team until 2019.

June 2021: Becomes Owner of Las Vegas Desert Dogs

On 21 June 2021, Steve Nash, along with Wayne Gretzky, Dustin Johnson and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, became an owner in the National Lacrosse League's new Las Vegas franchise, the Las Vegas Desert Dogs.

October 2022: Nash's Ejection and Departure from the Nets

In October 2022, Steve Nash received two technical fouls and was ejected from a game against the Milwaukee Bucks for arguing with referees. Shortly after, on November 1, 2022, Nash and the Brooklyn Nets mutually agreed to part ways due to controversies surrounding the team's players.

2025: Nash Joins LeBron James and Amazon Prime

In 2025, Steve Nash became a co-host alongside LeBron James on the second season of the basketball podcast "Mind the Game." Also in 2025, it was announced that Nash would join Amazon Prime's NBA coverage, beginning with the 2025–26 NBA season.