Biografi Steve Nash

Steven John Nash Born: February 7, 1974 Place of Birth: Johannesburg, South Africa Steve Nash, in 2005, was the first Canadian ever to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player. Nash's family lived in South Africa but they were not pleased about that country's political situation at the time. They decided to move to British Columbia, Canada, when Nash was only two years old. Playing sports was encouraged in the family and Nash and his two siblings all participated in some way. As a teen, Steve Nash played soccer and basketball but basketball became his favourite sport. He stood out in both sports at the provincial level in high school. Even though he stood out as a basketball star, no college teams seem to be interested in recruiting him. Because of the disinterest, one coach from Santa Clara University, California, was tipped off to give Nash a look. The coach was very impressed by the skill level of this young aspiring basketball player. Now recruited, Steve Nash went on to become one of the greatest players in the West Coast Conference. In 1996, he was selected by the Phoenix Suns but the move received little fan support and Nash did not get much time on the court. A friend from his Santa Clara days convinced the Dallas Mavericks to make a trade for Nash in 1999. Here again, throughout the season, the fans would often boo the young Canadian player. However, over the next three seasons and with new management, Steve Nash and the team improved considerably. The team made the playoffs for the first time in a decade and Nash was reaching superstar status with his play. Nash was not re-signed by Dallas for the 2004-5 season as they would not match a contract offer by the Phoenix Suns. Therefore, he signed a long term multi-million dollar contract with the team that did not feel he was worth keeping a few years previously. Not the tallest of point guards, Nash more than made up for it with his team leadership and scoring efforts. Nash's play during that season was superb to the point that he won his Most Valuable Player award. In doing so, he had to beat out a fan favourite and dominant player around the league, Shaquille O'Neal. Steve Nash has shown determination and leadership to Canada and the rest of the basketball world.