TORONTO (CP) - Basketball star Steve Nash was named winner of the Lou Marsh Trophy on Thursday.

The award, decided by a panel of sports editors and broadcasters, is given annually to Canada's outstanding athlete by the Toronto Star. The unassuming point guard from Victoria, was the NBA's most valuable player last season with the Phoenix Suns. He was the first Canadian and only the second international player after Nigeria's Hakeem Olajuwon to win the award.

The six-foot-three playmaker was only the second point guard to be named MVP by the NBA in the last 40 years. He currently leads the NBA with 168 assists.

Nash, 31, was a unanimous choice for the Lou Marsh. The other nominees were Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Sidney Crosby, diver Alexandre Despatie, curler Randy Ferbey, long-track speed skater Cindy Klassen and soccer player Christine Sinclair.

Nash has been a backbone of Canada's international teams, and he helped Canada to the quarter-finals at the 2000 Olympics.

Adam van Koeverden, who won a gold and bronze medal in kayaking at the Athens Olympics, won the award last year.

The award is named after a former Toronto Star sports editor.

The panel of voters was comprised of representatives from the Toronto Star, The Canadian Press, CBC, National Post, Toronto Sun, Globe and Mail, Rogers Sportsnet, Edmonton Journal, Montreal La Presse, CTV and Prime Time Sports.

The Canadian Press announces its athlete of the year award winners later this month. The CP awards are decided by sports editors and broadcasters across the country.