Lakers guard Nash retires at 41

Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash formally announced his retirement Saturday at the age of 41.

The Canadian, who did not play this season due to injury, ended his 19-year NBA career that saw him stand third in NBA history with 10,335 assists and win back-to-back MVP awards as one of just 10 players in league history to to so.

Nash signed with the Lakers in 2012 to chase his first championship but failed to make an impact with injuries.

His success with the Phoenix Suns, however, will be remembered.

Nash was born in South Africa, but grew up in British Columbia and starred in college at Santa Clara. After starting his NBA career with two quiet years in Phoenix, he rose to prominence with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2000-01 season alongside Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki, reaching the Western Conference finals.

After re-signing with Phoenix, Nash and coach Mike D'Antoni led the Suns to the conference finals again, but repeatedly fell short of the NBA finals in painful fashion. Nash led the NBA in assists five times in seven seasons while scoring at least 14.7 points per game in each year.

Nash's success inspired youngsters in Canada who grew up watching him play. Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins were the top picks in the last two NBA drafts.

Nash has said he agreed to delay the announcement of his retirement last fall because the Lakers hoped to have a chance to trade his expiring contract for assets at the trade deadline last month. Nash is making 9.7 million US dollars this season, and his deal counts against the struggling Lakers' salary cap. Endit