Canadian Steve Nash will be the next head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, the team announced on Thursday.
Nash, a former two-time MVP has never held a full-time head coaching position in the NBA but has ties to Brooklyn playing with general manager Sean Marks for two seasons while in Phoenix and working with the Warriors organization for three seasons while Kevin Durant was there.
"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," 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 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 will get a four-year deal from the Nets. Jacque Vaughn who was the Nets interim coach in the Orlando bubble will remain with the team as an assistant, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The 46-year-old Victoria B.C. native joins Jay Triano as the only two Canadian head coaches in NBA history. Triano served as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors (2008-2011) and the Phoenix Suns (2017-18). Triano is currently an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets.
Nash spent 18 seasons in the NBA playing with the Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. He won back-to-back league MVPs in 2005 and 2006, becoming the 10th player in NBA history to complete the feat. Among his list of accolades as a player are seven All-NBA selections, five assists titles and eight All-Star appearances.
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