Steve Nash to Become Canada GM

Former Dallas Mavericks point guard Steve Nash has been selected as general manager of Canada’s national basketball program.

The current Phoenix Suns star will help to shape the men’s team, which will try to qualify for the London Olympics. Canada’s men’s and women’s team haven’t played in the Olympics since the Sydney Games in 2000, where Nash led the Canadians to a seventh-place finish.

The men’s team will play in the final qualifying tournament next month in Turkey.

As part of his new job, Nash will have a strong influence in the hiring of Canada’s next head coach. The men’s team hasn’t had a head coach since Leo Rautins resigned in September.

Canada’s stock could be on the rise after youngsters Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph were selected in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft.