Canadian Steve Nash hired as head coach of Brooklyn Nets

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2018 enshrinee Steve Nash speaks during the Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 7, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Brooklyn Nets dipped into the ever-expanding Canadian basketball talent pool for their next head coach.

Basketball Hall of Famer Steve Nash, a native of Victoria, B.C., was

hired to guide the Nets

Thursday, replacing interim coach Jacque Vaugh as head coach. Vaughn will remain with the Nets as an assistant coach.

It’s a stunning move by the Nets, who were bounced from the NBA playoffs by the Toronto Raptors in four games last month.

“After meeting with a number of highly accomplished coaching candidates from diverse backgrounds, we knew we had a difficult decision to make,” Nets General Manager Sean Marks said in a press release. “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.

“His instincts for the game, combined with an inherent ability to communicate with and unite players towards a common goal, will prepare us to compete at the highest levels of the league. We are excited to welcome Steve, Lilla, Lola, Bella, Matteo, Luca and Ruby to Brooklyn.”

This is Nash’s first head coaching job. He signed a four-year contract with the Nets, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Nash, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 after playing for 18 seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, was hired by the Nets after five seasons as a player development consultant with the Golden State Warriors.

“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,” 46-year-old Nash said in a statement. “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.”

Nash is one of the most accomplished players/managers in Canadian basketball history. He was a member of Team Canada from 1993-2004 and served as GM for the senior national team from 2012-19. Nash played collegiately at Santa Clara University prior to being selected 15th overall in the 1996 NBA draft.

— With files from Reuters

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