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 Canadian former professional basketball player, renowned for his playmaking skills and shooting accuracy. Playing 18 seasons in the NBA, he was an eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, and a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player. He's considered one of the NBA's all-time best 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

1980: Franchise-Best Start

In the 2009–10 season, the Suns had a franchise-best start since 1980–81, going 8–1 in their first nine games.

1986: Regular season point–assist double doubles

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

1990: Averaging 18 Points and 11 Assists

In 2006-2007, Steve Nash became the first person since Magic Johnson in 1990-91 to average 18 points and 11 assists per game during the regular season.

1991: Played for the Canadian Men's National Basketball Team

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

1991: Participates in Summer Universiade

In 1991, at age 17, Steve Nash was the youngest member of Team Canada at the Summer Universiade, where the team won a silver medal. This happened after he was cut from the Canadian junior national team by head coach Ken Olynyk.

1991: Led Team to Provincial Championship

In the 1991-92 season, Nash led his team to the British Columbia AAA provincial championship title in his final year.

1992: Received Scholarship from Santa Clara

Nash received a scholarship from Santa Clara for the 1992-93 season.

1993: Led Broncos to Upset Win Over Arizona

In 1993, Nash led the Broncos to a WCC tournament title and an upset win over No. 2-seeded Arizona in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

1993: Plays for Senior National Team and Competes in Canada Games

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 (for the British Columbia team) and Summer Universiade. He won a bronze medal at the Canada Games and won a silver medal at the Summer Universiade, losing to Team USA in the final.

1993: Reached Western Conference Finals for the First Time Since 1993

In 2005, Nash led the Suns to a 4-2 series win against the Dallas Mavericks, which made the Suns reach the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1993.

1995: Named Conference Player of the Year

In the 1994-95 season, Nash, who led the conference in scoring and assists, was named Conference Player of the Year.

1995: Attracted Attention of National Media and Professional Scouts

In the 1995-96 season, Nash began attracting the attention of national media and professional scouts due to his honed skills and performances.

1996: Drafted by the Phoenix Suns

In 1996, Nash was drafted as the 15th overall pick by the Phoenix Suns, marking his entry into the NBA.

1996: Selected by the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Draft

In 1996, after graduating with a degree in sociology, Nash was selected 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA draft.

1998: Traded to the Dallas Mavericks

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

1998: First Year as Maverick

During his first year as a Maverick in 1998-99, the lockout-shortened season, Nash started in all 40 games.

1999: Fewest Assists Since 1999

During the 2012-2013 season, Nash averaged his fewest assists (6.7) since 1999–2000, when he was a part-time starter with Dallas.

1999: Leads Canada to Olympic Qualification

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

2000: Fewest Assists Since 1999

During the 2012-2013 season, Nash averaged his fewest assists (6.7) since 1999–2000, when he was a part-time starter with Dallas.

2000: Leads Canada to Quarterfinals at Sydney Olympics

In 2000, at the Sydney Olympics, Steve Nash led Canada to win their round robin group, including a victory over Spain and an 83–75 win over Yugoslavia. Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinals with a five-point loss to France.

2000: Breakout Season

In the 2000-01 season, Nash had a breakout season averaging 15.6 points and 7.3 assists per game.

2001: Founds the Steve Nash Foundation

In 2001, Steve Nash founded the Steve Nash Foundation, which aims to foster 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: Earned Playoff Berth

In 2001, with Nash directing the team's offense, the Mavericks earned a playoff berth for the first time in more than a decade.

2002: Earned All-Star and All-NBA Third Team Honours

In the 2001-02 season, Nash posted career-highs and earned a spot in the NBA All-Star Game and on the All-NBA Third Team.

2003: Became a Free Agent After 2003-04 Season

After the 2003-04 season, Nash became a free agent, attempting to negotiate a long-term contract with Mark Cuban.

2003: Became a Free Agent

After the 2003-04 season, Nash became a free agent.

2003: Suns record during 2003-04

During the 2003-04 season, before Steve Nash returned to Phoenix, the Suns had a 29-53 record.

2003: End of Tenure for the Canadian Men's National Basketball Team

In 2003, Nash stopped playing for the Canadian men's national basketball team.

2003: First-Team All-NBA Selection

In 2006-2007, Steve Nash received the most votes for first-team All-NBA alongside teammate Stoudemire, the first teammates to make the first team since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal in 2003-04.

2003: Earned All-Star and All-NBA Third Team Honours Again

In the 2002-03 season, Nash closely replicated his previous season's performance, again earning All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honours.

November 2004: Recorded 22 Points, 18 Assists, and 4 Steals Against the Clippers

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

2004: Returned to the Phoenix Suns

After becoming a free agent in 2003, Nash returned to the Phoenix Suns in the 2004-05 season.

2004: Leads the league in assists for five years.

In 2004, Nash led the league in assists for five years, averaging 11.5 assists per game in 2004–05.

2004: Last time playing for Canada and upset over coaching change

In 2004, Steve Nash led Team Canada during qualifying for the Summer Olympics at the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament, being named tournament MVP. However, Canada missed out on Olympic spots, marking the last time Nash played for Canada, reportedly upset over the firing of head coach Jay Triano.

2004: Steve Nash Foundation receives charitable status

In 2004, the Steve Nash Foundation was granted charitable status, allowing it to further its mission of fostering health in children affected by poverty, illness, abuse, or neglect.

2005: Helps Suns improve record and reaches conference finals.

In 2005, Steve Nash helped the Phoenix 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.

2005: Soccer Career

In 2005, Steve Nash stated in an interview that he could have played soccer professionally if he had focused on it, highlighting his early talent and continued interest in the sport.

2005: Won the NBA Skills Challenge

In 2005, Steve Nash won the NBA Skills Challenge, showcasing his ball-handling skills. He would later win it again in 2010.

2005: Suns' Successful 2005 Season

In 2005, despite Stoudemire's knee injury and key player trades, the Suns, led by Nash, achieved a 54–28 record and won the division title.

2005: Shooting Accuracy on Par With MVP Campaign

In 2007-2008 Steve Nash's shooting accuracy was on par with his 2005–06 MVP campaign (shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from the three-point arc, and 90% from the free throw line).

2005: Named League MVP

In the 2004-05 season, Nash led the Suns to the Western Conference finals and was named the league's MVP.

2005: Won the 2004-05 NBA MVP Award

In the 2004-05 season, Nash won the NBA MVP award, becoming the first Canadian to earn the honor.

January 2006: Nash Records 28 Points, 5 Rebounds, and 22 Assists

In January 2006, Steve Nash recorded 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 22 assists in a 140–133 triple overtime loss to the New York Knicks.

2006: Leads the league in assists for five years.

In 2006, Nash led the league in assists for five years, averaging 10.5 assists per game in 2005–06.

2006: Another Stellar Campaign

In 2006, Steve Nash averaged 18.6 points and a career-high 11.6 assists per game. He missed the MVP award, coming in second to Dirk Nowitzki.

2006: Named League MVP Again

In the 2005-06 season, Nash was named MVP again.

September 2007: Heads Charity Event in China with Yao Ming

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 for Chinese children in need.

December 2007: Says he will no longer play for Canada

In December 2007, Steve Nash stated that he would no longer play for the Canadian national team.

2007: Appointed to the Order of Canada

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

2007: Steve Nash Sports Club Opening

In 2007, Steve Nash and Leonard Schlemm opened the first Steve Nash Sports Club in downtown Vancouver, a high-end fitness facility reflecting Nash's fitness philosophy.

2007: Interest in Tottenham Hotspur Ownership

In 2007, Steve Nash expressed interest in owning a minority stake in Tottenham Hotspur, a team he has supported since childhood. He clarified that this interest stems from his passion for the club and not from financial motivations.

2007: Regular Season Games Played

In 2007, Steve Nash played in 81 regular season games during the 2007–08 season.

2007: Nike Commercial

In 2007, Steve Nash wrote and produced an 81-second commercial for Nike titled "Training Day". Nash also started a film production company with his cousin, filmmaker Ezra Holland.

2007: Suns Eliminated in Conference Semifinals

In the 2007 playoffs, the Suns, after eliminating the Lakers in five games, lost 4–2 to the Spurs in the conference semifinals.

2007: 50-40-90 club achievement

In the 2007-08 season, Steve Nash became the fourth player in NBA history to shoot 50% or better from the field, 40% from three-point range (43.9), and 90% from the line, joining Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, and Mark Price in the 50–40–90 club. He would repeat this feat three more times in the 2007–08, 2008–09 and 2009–10 campaigns.

January 2008: Sixth All-Star Selection

On 31 January 2008, Steve Nash was selected to his sixth All-Star game.

February 2008: Wearing Nike's Trash Talk Shoe

In February 2008, Steve Nash began wearing Nike's eco-friendly Trash Talk shoe, the first high-performance shoe made from recycled materials. Only 5,000 pairs were produced for sale.

July 2008: Joins Vancouver Whitecaps team's ownership group

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

2008: D'Antoni Replaced by Porter

Before the 2008–09 season, coach D'Antoni was replaced by Terry Porter, leading to difficulties for the Suns in adapting to a more defensive-oriented style.

2008: Showdown in Chinatown

In 2008, Steve Nash co-hosted Showdown in Chinatown, an 8-on-8 charity soccer game held 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 Nash Foundation awarded for excellence in sports philanthropy

In 2008, the Steve Nash Foundation was awarded the Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy, recognizing its significant contributions to children's health and well-being.

2008: 50-40-90 club achievement

In the 2008-09 season, Steve Nash achieved the feat of shooting 50% or better from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line, achieving membership in the 50-40-90 club. It was the second time he had done it in his career, as he first achieved the feat in the 2007-08 season.

March 2009: Vancouver named as a future MLS expansion city

In March 2009, Vancouver was officially named as a future MLS expansion city, set to join the league in 2011, an effort Steve Nash supported.

2009: Suns operating at the point

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

2009: Leads the league in assists for five years.

In 2009, Nash led the league in assists for five years, averaging 11.0 assists per game in 2009–10.

2009: Suns Miss Playoffs

In 2009, the Suns, after coaching changes and roster adjustments, failed to secure a playoff seed, marking the first time Nash missed the playoffs since returning to Phoenix.

2009: Strong Start to the Season

In 2009-2010 season Nash and the Suns opened the season with a strong performance, going 8-1 in their first nine games, a franchise best since 1980-81.

January 2010: All-Star Game Starter

On 21 January 2010, Steve Nash was named as the starting point guard for the West in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.

2010: Won the NBA Skills Challenge

In 2010, Steve Nash won the NBA Skills Challenge, showcasing his ball-handling skills for the second time. He previously won it in 2005.

2010: Roster Changes

In 2010, the Suns underwent significant roster changes with Stoudemire leaving for New York and other players being traded.

2011: Vancouver joins MLS

In 2011, Steve Nash previously made statements about his intention to bring Major League Soccer to Vancouver as early as this year, which he succeeded in doing.

2011: Suns Fail to Make Playoffs

In 2011, for the second time since Nash returned to Phoenix, the Suns failed to make the playoffs.

February 2012: Eighth All-Star Game Selection

In February 2012, Steve Nash was named to his eighth All-Star Game, leading the NBA in assists per game at the time.

April 2012: Passes Oscar Robertson in Career Assists

On 21 April 2012, Steve Nash passed Oscar Robertson for career assists versus the Denver Nuggets.

May 2012: Becomes General Manager of Canadian National Team

In 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.

July 2012: Lakers Acquire Nash

On 11 July 2012, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Steve Nash in a sign-and-trade deal with Phoenix. Nash chose to wear No. 10 in honor of soccer playmakers.

2012: End of 2012-13 season Stats

As of the end of the 2012-13 season, Steve Nash had a 90.4% career free throw shooting average and a 42.8% career three-point shooting average, ranking among the top 10 players in league history in total assists, assists per game, and three-point field goals made.

2012: Served as General Manager of the Canadian Men's National Basketball Team

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

January 2013: Nash Reaches 10,000 Career Assists

On 8 January 2013, Steve Nash assisted on an Antawn Jamison jumper to become the fifth player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career assists.

2013: End of 2012-13 season Stats

February 2014: Nash's 40th Birthday

On 7 February 2014, Steve Nash celebrated his 40th birthday, scoring a season-high 19 points in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

July 2014: Announcement of Final Season

In July 2014, Steve Nash announced that the 2014–15 season would be his last.

March 2015: Retirement Announcement

On 21 March 2015, Steve Nash announced his retirement from playing basketball due to health concerns, declining offers from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks.

September 2015: Consulting Role with Warriors

In September 2015, Steve Nash joined the Golden State Warriors as a part-time consultant.

January 2016: Purchases Stake in La Liga Club Mallorca

In January 2016, Steve Nash was part of a group that purchased a $21 million stake in La Liga club Mallorca.

2016: Warriors Fall Short in NBA Finals

During his first season with the team, the Warriors produced a record-breaking 73–9 season, although the team fell short in the 2016 NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2016: Invested to the Order of Canada

In 2016, Nash was invested to the Order of Canada, solidifying his contributions to the nation.

2017: First NBA Championship

In 2017, as a consultant with the Golden State Warriors, Steve Nash won his first NBA championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

March 2019: Transitions to Senior Advisor Role

In March 2019, Steve Nash transitioned from his role as general manager to a senior advisor for the Canadian national team. Rowan Barrett, his former national team teammate, succeeded him as general manager.

2019: End of Tenure as General Manager of Canadian Men's National Basketball Team

In 2019, Nash's tenure as the general manager of the Canadian men's national basketball team came to an end.

September 2020: Named Head Coach of Brooklyn Nets

On 3 September 2020, Steve Nash was announced as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

2020: First season as head coach.

In 2020, Nash led the Nets to a 48–24 record in his first season as head coach. He also finished in sixth place in the NBA Coach of the Year voting.

March 2021: Named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month

In March 2021, Steve Nash was named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for February, marking the first time a Nets head coach received this honor since Jason Kidd in 2014. He guided the Nets to a conference-leading 9–4 record during the month.

June 2021: Becomes Owner of Las Vegas Desert Dogs

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

October 2022: Ejection from game and parting ways with Nets.

In October 2022, specifically on October 27th, Steve Nash was ejected from a game against the Milwaukee Bucks after receiving two technical fouls for arguing with referees. Following this, on November 1st, Nash and the Nets mutually agreed to part ways amidst team-related controversies.

September 2025: Rejoins Phoenix Suns as Senior Advisor

In September 2025, Steve Nash rejoined the Phoenix Suns organization, taking on the role of a senior advisor for the 2025–26 NBA season.

2025: Joins Mind the Game Podcast and Amazon Prime NBA Coverage

In 2025, Steve Nash joined LeBron James as a co-host on the second season of the basketball podcast Mind the Game. Additionally, Nash was announced to join Amazon Prime's NBA coverage, starting in the 2025–26 NBA season.