Steve Nash is one of the greatest NBA players of all time.
Most people don't know that he almost quit basketball to pursue professional soccer, but Michael Jordan and Spike Lee convinced him not to do it.
Time for a thread 👇👇👇
Most people don't know that he almost quit basketball to pursue professional soccer, but Michael Jordan and Spike Lee convinced him not to do it.
Time for a thread 👇👇👇
1) Steve Nash was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, but moved around frequently as his dad was a professional soccer player.
The Nash family eventually settled down in Victoria, British Columbia, where Steve and his younger brother Martin grew up.
The Nash family eventually settled down in Victoria, British Columbia, where Steve and his younger brother Martin grew up.
2) Growing up in Canada, Steve Nash and his brother often preferred to play hockey and soccer.
The Nash brothers took after their dad, displaying excellent soccer skills from a young age.
It wasn't until Steve was a teenager that he gave basketball a shot.
The Nash brothers took after their dad, displaying excellent soccer skills from a young age.
It wasn't until Steve was a teenager that he gave basketball a shot.
3) As Steve Nash started to excel in soccer & basketball, his dad gave him a choice.
If Steve wanted to pursue soccer, his father would allow him to move to London and practice full-time.
Steve declined, now citing the influence Michael Jordan & Spike Lee had on his childhood
If Steve wanted to pursue soccer, his father would allow him to move to London and practice full-time.
Steve declined, now citing the influence Michael Jordan & Spike Lee had on his childhood
4) Throughout high school, Steve Nash progressively got better at basketball.
During his senior year, Nash averaged 21 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds.
Despite averaging a near triple double, the scholarship offers didn't roll in.
During his senior year, Nash averaged 21 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds.
Despite averaging a near triple double, the scholarship offers didn't roll in.
5) Angered that Steve Nash wasn't being recruited, his high school basketball coach started sending film and personalized letters to colleges in the US.
The only school to respond?
Santa Clara University, which offered Nash a full athletic scholarship.
The only school to respond?
Santa Clara University, which offered Nash a full athletic scholarship.
6) Steve Nash went on to have a historic collegiate career at Santa Clara University, finishing as the all-time school leader in assists.
As a Freshmen in 1993, Nash led 15th seed Santa Clara to an upset over 2nd seed Arizona - a 20 point favorite.
As a Freshmen in 1993, Nash led 15th seed Santa Clara to an upset over 2nd seed Arizona - a 20 point favorite.
7) In 1995, Steve Nash was selected 15th overall in the NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.
Nash would go on to have an 18 year NBA career, playing for the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Accomplishments:
- 2x NBA MVP
- 8x NBA All-Star
- 3x All-NBA First Team
Nash would go on to have an 18 year NBA career, playing for the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Accomplishments:
- 2x NBA MVP
- 8x NBA All-Star
- 3x All-NBA First Team
8) Off the court, Steve Nash has also excelled.
When it came to endorsements, Nash was notorious for sticking to one simple principle.
If he didn’t love the product, or the brand didn’t have a consistent track record of being socially responsible, he wouldn’t get involved.
When it came to endorsements, Nash was notorious for sticking to one simple principle.
If he didn’t love the product, or the brand didn’t have a consistent track record of being socially responsible, he wouldn’t get involved.
9) In 2007, Steve Nash founded Meathawk Productions — a film production company focused on unique story telling through advertisements & short films.
Nash often used Meathawk Productions to integrate his cinematic passions within endorsement deals too.
Nash often used Meathawk Productions to integrate his cinematic passions within endorsement deals too.
10) Steve Nash would regularly agree to endorsement deals and then go above and beyond during the creative process.
Former Vitamin Water CMO @RohanAOza said: “I told Steve, ‘You’re not supposed to come in with a pitch and a production team ready to film. But I love that you do.’
Former Vitamin Water CMO @RohanAOza said: “I told Steve, ‘You’re not supposed to come in with a pitch and a production team ready to film. But I love that you do.’
11) The best Steve Nash investment story?
In 2008, Steve Nash did an unpaid internship at ad agency Deutsch to learn more about the business.
He eventually launched his own hybrid VC and ad agency model with a Deutsch executive.
Have to respect the grind from an NBA MVP.
In 2008, Steve Nash did an unpaid internship at ad agency Deutsch to learn more about the business.
He eventually launched his own hybrid VC and ad agency model with a Deutsch executive.
Have to respect the grind from an NBA MVP.
12) Although Steve Nash gave up his soccer career to pursue basketball, he never lost his passion for the sport.
Today, Nash owns minority stakes in the Vancouver Whitecaps and Real Mallorca.
He used to play for teams, now he owns them.
Today, Nash owns minority stakes in the Vancouver Whitecaps and Real Mallorca.
He used to play for teams, now he owns them.
13) Steve Nash is famous for dropping dimes and dominating on the hardwood.
He recently was hired as the Brooklyn Nets Head Coach, so now we'll get to see how well he does when the basketball isn't in his hands.
He recently was hired as the Brooklyn Nets Head Coach, so now we'll get to see how well he does when the basketball isn't in his hands.
14) People who are passionate about winning tend to continue to be successful in whatever they pursue.
Steve Nash is one of those people.
I wouldn't bet against him.
Steve Nash is one of those people.
I wouldn't bet against him.
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