Steve Nash Retires After 19 Years In The NBA

After 19 years, 41-year old point guard Steve Nash has called it a career. Nash announced his retirement via The Players Tribune, early Saturday morning.

Following 4 years at Santa Clara University, Nash was selected 15th in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. Nash was then traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 1998. He returned to the Suns via free agency in 2004.

His career averages; 14.3 points and 8.5 assists – his 10,335 career assists are the third-most in NBA history behind John Stockton and Jason Kidd. Plus two MVP titles with the Phoenix Suns.

“I heard someone once say there comes a day when they tell us all that we can’t play anymore,” Nash wrote. “We’re not good enough. Surplus to requirements. Too slow, maybe. When you’re a teenager with outsized dreams and a growing obsession, and someone tells you this ain’t gonna last forever, it’s scary. I never forgot it.”

The Steve Nash era with the Lakers wasn’t as successful. With high hopes for a superstar mash up with Kobe, Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, those dreams ended the second game into season one, when Steve broke his leg. Steve attempted another comeback during the 2013-2014 season, but the body wasn’t as willing as his mind. His stats for his 3 season with the Lakers: 65 games, 11.4 ppg, 6.4 apg and $28 million.

photos via @StephenNash, @NBA