Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner a slam dunk with NBA star Steve Nash

Steve Nash, considered our country’s greatest basketball player of all time and the inspiration behind many Canadian kids picking up the game, was in town last night for the 26th Annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner.

The major event was held in support of the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (JCC) and, in particular, efforts to help individuals or families participate in programs, such as summer camp or preschool classes, that they could not otherwise afford. 

More than 700 attendees were treated to a candid conversation between Nash and TSN host James Duthie at the Infinity Convention Centre, hearing for themselves how the skinny kid from Victoria, B.C. became one of the top point guards in the NBA by continually pushing himself to be his best.

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“I was always challenging myself to get better, acquire skills,” said Nash. “Sports is about learning and growing as an athlete.”

The basketball legend humbly acknowledged that, to this day, he still feels like an underdog, despite being a two-time MVP, eight-time All-Star and Hall of Famer. He played for the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and LA Lakers before announcing his retirement in 2015.

“I never took anything for granted,” said the 50 year old. “I was never, like, ‘I made it!’ I always was, like, ‘I’ve got to keep improving or someone’s going to take my  spot’ or ‘I’m going to get beat tonight if I’m not totally prepared’. 

“You go through your career, you build a resolve of ‘How can I be the best I can be, how can I continue to improve?’ I always kind of had that in me. It never really went away.”

That Nash failed to win an NBA championship “stings a little” at times but “generally, I’ve moved on and accepted it,” he said. “I think that’s part of what’s beautiful about sports; not everyone can win.”

The dinner is organized under the volunteer leadership of Stuart Ages, principal at Paramount Properties. The work he does on behalf of the community is nothing short of inspiring, Soloway JCC’s new president, Sarah Beutel, told OBJ.social. “We appreciate and value him so much as a community leader. He really is the heart, the driving force behind this.”

The sports dinner is one of Ottawa’s more unique events, not only for its icons — from tennis star John McEnroe, golf legend Jack Nicklaus, and countless football and hockey stars — but also for the exciting atmosphere it creates through music, video images and lighting. 

“It’s so glitzy that I feel like I’m in Vegas or some place like that; it doesn’t feel like Ottawa,” said Soloway JCC board chair Jack Shinder, CEO of Ambico, a specialized doors, frames and window company.

The audience was packed with business leaders, many of whom were eager to meet Nash, including BLG’s Ottawa managing partner Larry Elliot. He was formerly the point guard on the Carleton University basketball team. Elliot, along with his dad, brother and son, was among the attendees to be photographed with Nash at the VIP reception. “I think it’s so great that it’s basketball finally, and Steve Nash is first-class,” said Elliot of this year’s choice of sport and athlete for the popular dinner. 

Nash was seen posing for photos throughout the evening, including with our prime minister’s basketball-playing son, Xavier Trudeau. He’s friends with the sons of Josh Kardish from eQ Homes. Trudeau was a guest at their table, as was Ottawa Shooting Stars Basketball coach Brian Nuwagaba, who also volunteers as a neighbourhod ambassador with BGC Ottawa (formerly Boys and Girls Club Ottawa).

The night proved that sports heroes can be found at all levels. Faqrudin “Turtle” Ali was honoured by the Ottawa Blackjacks for his volunteer basketball efforts to improve the lives of young people living in some of our most vulnerable neighbourhoods, including Caldwell. He started the character-building Bellevue Basketball Club with fellow volunteer Sean McCann. He also actively volunteers with BGC Ottawa.

“The Ottawa community is blessed with a tireless, productive and humble community leader who has been a coach, a mentor, a social worker, a big brother and a father figure to hundreds of our most eager yet often most vulnerable young people,” said Mark Wacyk, president of the Ottawa Blackjacks professional basketball franchise, at the podium. He presented Ali with a community services award for making such a positive impact in young lives.

Ali, who works for Ottawa Public Health, is also an advocate for youth mental health. He was joined on stage by Nash in accepting his award and gifts.

Like many athletes, Nash excelled at multiple sports growing up, including soccer. He didn’t turn to basketball until junior high, partly due to the popularity of the legendary Michael Jordan and his signature shoes, Air Jordans. “He was pretty much everyone’s idol,” said Nash of the man who elevated basketball to new heights through his athleticism, skill, competitive spirit and personal branding. 

During his rookie season, Nash played against his hero, using a friendly interaction with Jordan on the court as an opportunity to ask if he could have his shoes after the game. He knew Jordan might be amenable to the request. “He was nice enough to say yes.”

Duthie did an excellent job hosting the event, cracking up his audience as he made his entrance wearing what appeared to be a heavy gold chain around his neck. It was the Key to the City, awarded to the native of Ottawa in 2022. “I always told my kids that if I ever got the Key to the City I would wear it around my neck like a rapper, so that’s what I do whenever I come back to my hometown now.”

Duthie had fun suggestions for how the symbolic key could be put to good use. “I was thinking if we’re game later tonight, whoever’s in for it, we’ll go downtown and we’ll see what’s open, right? House of Commons after dark? (Former Ottawa Senators captain) Daniel Alfreddson’s back door?” joked Duthie, whose list included at least one adults-only venue he might have dreamed of sneaking into, back when he was growing up in Ottawa.

The night enjoyed a slam-dunk finish after Nash, Duthie and Ali all successfully took a shot at the basketball net set up in the back corner, filling the air with the sweet sound of balls swooshing through the net.

caroline@obj.ca