Steve Nash has dreamed of managing the Canadian men's basketball team since he was a young point guard running its offense.

He didn't envision that day would come so soon.

Canada's biggest basketball star was hired as general manager of the Canadian men's senior team on Tuesday, accepting the role despite the fact he still has a job in the NBA.

The point guard of the Phoenix Suns, who will be a coveted free agent this NBA offseason, said the opportunity to help what might be the most talented group of young players the country has ever produced was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"It really is a beautiful thing to see our kids and the game grow and the talent continue to reach new heights; it's amazing," Nash said at a news conference at Air Canada Centre. "I have a lot of excitement generated for the young kids in this country, many of which are making a name for themselves already, and many of which are coming up behind them."

Nash's former Canadian teammate Rowan Barrett was hired as assistant GM.

"We've talked about this since we played for the national team, of how we could impact the program, how we could improve it, how we could hopefully leave it in a better place than when we got involved," Nash said. "I guess it was a long time coming, but I didn't foresee it being this early."

The sport's national governing body has had the two-time NBA MVP in its sights for some time to lead a program that hasn't made an Olympic appearance since the 2000 Sydney Games.

"Steve's basketball IQ and background are unparalleled in the sport, and we are tremendously fortunate to have him," said Wayne Parrish, Canada Basketball's president and CEO. "We have a perfect marriage here of incredible burgeoning talent within our men's program and we feel we have in place the right structure and leadership at this point."