(December 8, 2005) - Steve Nash, an NBA and National Team basketball star from Victoria, BC, was named the winner of the 2005 Lou Marsh Trophy. The award, decided by a panel of sports editors and broadcasters, is given annually to Canada’s outstanding athlete by the Toronto Star.

Steve Nash aka Mr. Canada. (NBAE/Getty Images)

Nash, playing in his 10th year in the NBA, had a season for the ages in 2004-05, winning the NBA Most Valuable Player Award May 8th after averaging 15.5 points and an NBA leading 11.5 assists while leading the Phoenix Suns to the third largest turnaround in league history. At the same time, the NBA recognized Nash’s outstanding sportsmanship and play with the Pacific Division Sportsmanship Award.

Nash has also been a National Team standout, donning his country’s colours 99 times beginning in 1991 when he was part of a squad that won a silver medal at the World University Games. Most recently, Nash led Canada in the 2003 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament, winning MVP honours.

His most defining moment in a Canadian jersey, however, came during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where he helped lead Canada to a seventh place finish at the games which included a win over then world-champion Yugoslavia.

“Steve is an inspiration and role model for basketball players in this country,” said Canada Basketball Executive Director and CEO Fred Nykamp. “His team and country-first attitude and commitment to the game exemplify the values of Canada Basketball. Canada Basketball is very proud to have Steve’s accomplishments recognized with the Lou Marsh Award,” he added.

This summer Nash also received the Dr. James Naismith Award of Excellence from the Prime Minister of Canada. The Dr. James Naismith Award of Excellence is the highest award given by Canada Basketball and recognizes the recipients’ contributions to basketball in Canada both on-and-off the court.