AFP, Los Angeles :
The 2018 Basketball Hall of Fame class includes a sharp-shooting point guard from Canada and two NBA stars who shared both the rookie-of-the year award and the inductee podium at Friday’s ceremony.
Steve Nash went from being a unscouted high school phenom from the basketball backwoods of Victoria, British Columbia to an eight-time all star, while Jason Kidd and Grant Hill were co-rookies of the year in 1994-95 before going on to play a combined 37 seasons in the NBA.
The trio were part of an impressive list of 13 inductees to the 2018 Naismith Memorial National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
“I was never supposed to be here,” Nash, who looks like he can still play, said as he began his acceptance speech.
The same could likely be said for the other inductees which included former players Maurice Cheeks, Dino Radja and Charlie Scott and ex-college coach Lefty Driesell.
This inductee list was heavy on point guards as Nash, and Americans Allen and Kidd, all had record setting careers.
The six-foot-three Nash won back-to-back MVP awards in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and led the league five times in assists.
His 18-year-career included playing in eight all-star games and finishing sixth on the all-time assist list.
“The secret is to build the resolve and spirit to enjoy the plateau. Never stop striving to reach your goals,” Nash said.
Nash was born in Johannesburg, South Africa before the family moved to Vancouver Island on Canada’s west coast.
