The Brooklyn Nets have named Steve Nash as the franchise’s 23rd head coach.
During an 18-year career in the NBA, Nash won back-to-back MVP awards in 2005 and 2006, becoming the 10th player in league history to do so.
After retiring as a 39-year-old with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2014, Nash has spent the past five seasons as a player development consultant with the Golden State Warriors, where he built a strong relationship with the now-Nets star Kevin Durant.
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“After meeting with a number of highly accomplished coaching candidates from diverse backgrounds, we knew we had a difficult decision to make,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “In Steve, we see a leader, communicator, and mentor who will garner the respect of our players. I have had the privilege to know Steve for many years. One of the great on-court leaders in our game, I have witnessed firsthand his basketball acumen and selfless approach to prioritize team success.”
“In Steve we see a leader, communicator and mentor who will garner the respect of our players…One of the great on-court leaders in our game, I have witnessed firsthand his basketball acumen and selfless approach to prioritize team success.” – Sean Marks https://t.co/MT4KFlOlPg
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 3, 2020
The 46-year-old Victoria BC-native is one of the most accomplished Canadian NBA players of all time and ranks third in career assists at 10,335.
“I am honoured to have this opportunity with such a first-class organization and would like to thank Sean, Joe, and his wife, Clara, for having faith in my ability to lead this team forward,” said Nash. “Coaching is something I knew I wanted to pursue when the time was right, and I am humbled to be able to work with the outstanding group of players and staff we have here in Brooklyn.
“I am as excited about the prospects of the team on the court as I am about moving to Brooklyn with my family and becoming impactful members of this community.”