NBA

Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash named to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame class of 2020-21

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What's better than one Hall of Fame induction? Two.

Already a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Victoria B.C.'s Steve Nash will be inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020.

The ceremony itself won't take place until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nash, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018, is arguably Canada's greatest basketball player. 

The two-time NBA MVP made eight All-Star teams, seven All-NBA teams and led the league in assists five times.

Nash spent 18 seasons in the NBA most famously as the maestro of the Phoenix Suns' seven seconds or less offence that changed the way basketball is played today.

"When I think of my career, I can’t help but think of the kid with his ball, falling in love," Nash wrote after his retirement announcement in 2015. "That’s still what I identify with and did so throughout my entire story."

Nash also donned the Maple Leaf at numerous international events for Canada. He helped Canada win Silver in 1999 and Bronze in 2001 at the FIBA Americas. Nash also led Canada to the quarterfinals at the Summer Games in Sydney, Australia in 2000 — the last time Canada was at the Olympics.

A total of six athletes and five builders were selected for the 65th anniversary year of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. There were over 260 public nominations and the group was selected by a committee made of broadcasters, writers, athletes and academics.

Canada's Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020/21 Inductees

  • Steve Nash - Athlete, Basketball
  • John "Jackie" Barrett - Athlete, Powerlifting and Special Olympian
  • Sonja Gaudet - Athlete, Wheelchair Curling
  • Diane Jones Konihowski - Athlete, Athletics
  • Lorie Kane - Athlete, Golf
  • Eric Lamaze and Hickstead - Team, Equestrian - Show Jumping
  • Duncan Campbell - Builder, Wheelchair Rugby
  • Sheldon Kennedy - Builder, Ice Hockey
  • Judy Kent - Builder, Sport Administration
  • Willie O'Ree - Builder, Ice Hockey
  • Ross Powless - Builder, Lacrosse
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Carlan Gay Photo

Carlan Gay is a deputy editor at The Sporting News.