Steve Nash's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Steve Nash. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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: 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: 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.

May 2006: Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In May 2006, Time magazine named Steve Nash as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing his impact both on and off the basketball court.

September 2006: Jersey Number Retired

In September 2006, Nash's jersey No. 11 was retired by Santa Clara, marking the first time a student-athlete received that honor.

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 One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2006, Time magazine recognized Nash as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, acknowledging his impact beyond basketball.

2006: Named League MVP Again

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

December 2007: Receives Order of Canada

On December 28, 2007, Steve Nash was announced as a recipient of Canada's highest civilian honor, the Order of Canada, recognizing his contributions to sports and philanthropy.

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: Voted Best Point Guard by League's General Managers

In 2007, a survey by NBA.com revealed that Steve Nash received 85% of the votes from the league's general managers as the best point guard in the league, highlighting his recognition among basketball experts.

2007: Bill Russell comments on Nash's MVP candidacy

In 2007, commenting on Steve Nash losing out to Dirk Nowitzki for the NBA MVP award, Bill Russell stated that Nash is "one of our great athletes in all sports", affirming his deservingness of his two MVP awards and praising his positive impact on his teammates and their winning environment.

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.

June 2008: Receives Star on Canada's Walk of Fame

On June 3, 2008, it was announced that Steve Nash would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame, honoring his achievements and contributions to Canadian culture.

2008: Awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Victoria

In 2008, Nash received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Victoria, recognizing his achievements and contributions.

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.

September 2009: Awarded Honorary Degree from University of Victoria

On September 18, 2009, Steve Nash was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Victoria, recognizing his athletic achievements and philanthropic work through the Steve Nash Foundation.

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: Rated as Best Passer and Possessing Best Basketball IQ

In 2009, a survey rated Steve Nash as the best passer and the player possessing the best basketball IQ, showcasing his exceptional skills and understanding of the game.

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: Olympic Torchbearer

At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Steve Nash became the first NBA player in Olympic history to carry the torch and light the Olympic cauldron.

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.

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.

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

January 2016: Rated as seventh-best point guard of all time by ESPN.com

On January 12, 2016, ESPN.com rated Steve Nash as the seventh-best point guard of all time, acknowledging his significant impact on the sport.

2016: Invested to the Order of Canada

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

December 2017: Hall of Fame Eligibility

On 19 December 2017, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced that eligibility for induction was decreased to three years after retirement, making Steve Nash eligible for enshrinement in 2018.

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 2018: Hall of Fame Induction Announcement

On 31 March 2018, it was announced that Steve Nash would be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

September 2018: Formal Induction into Basketball Hall of Fame

On 7 September 2018, Steve Nash was formally inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

2018: Induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2018, Nash was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's greats.

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.

October 2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In October 2021, Steve Nash was honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2021: Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Nash was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, celebrating his outstanding career and contributions to the league.

2021: Named 38th greatest player in NBA history by The Athletic.

In 2021, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Steve Nash as the 38th greatest player in NBA history.