Steve Nash

Just a normal day at the office

Steve Nash, possibly the best point guard in the NBA, is a huge influence in my life, not only because he is an amazing basketball player, but because he's simply a good person. Along with his personal charity he runs a youth basketball league that allows disadvantaged kids to participate in sports. And because it seems to be really hard to be world famous and a good person these days, I am even more proud of him.

Nash with one of his two MVP trophies

Steve Nash is my hero because of the two sides that he shows. There is the internationally acclaimed athlete, the star point guard for the Phoenix Suns who won a back-to-back MVP awards. Then, there is the contributing member of the community who has his own charity and his own basketball league. Because I am a basketball player, and a Canadian, he has played a huge part in my becoming the player, and indeed the person, that I am.

Being a Canadian that wants to be in the NBA is tough, because for some reason or another, Canadians just don't seem to make it in professional basketball. Steve Nash is a rare example of someone who made it and is thriving. Playing on one of the league's best teams is one thing, but being their best player and making everybody else play better with your passing expertise is another. Nash has done all of this while still being recognized as a gentleman of the sport. His baby face and long, unkempt hair are just more reasons that he is loved around the league. Of course, I look up to him even more because he plays for my favourite team and he is Canadian.

While I like Nash for his skill and personality, the real reason that I chose him is the way that he cares for others and doesn't just spend his ridiculously huge salary on fancy cars. The fact that he took the time and money to set up his own charity shows that he really cares about who receives his help. When he takes time to travel around the country to talk to and play with children, it just goes further to prove that he believes in the positive impact that he can make. His basketball program provides opportunities for kids in Vancouver and Toronto to get off the streets and gives them an opportunity to engage in healthy physical activity. And then, on top of setting up this program, Nash actually goes to the places that it is held in and plays ball with these kids. Nash also contributes large amounts of money yearly to his charity, The Steve Nash Foundation. The Steve Nash Foundation contributes to the Gulu Walk, Make Poverty History, and the Adoptive Families Association of British Columbia.

Steve Nash has battled through many injuries and insults including a broken nose in the conference semi-final against San Antonio in 2007. Even though he was bleeding profusely, he was stitched up and came back to play the final minutes of the loss. Because he is now nearing the end of his career (he is 34) there are only a few years left to see one of the best Canadian basketball players in history.

Nash will always stand out as an amazing basketball player, and an exemplary Canadian.