OTTAWA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Phoenix Suns star guard Steve Nash was named on Tuesday general manager of Canada's national basketball program in their bid for the London Olympic Games.

Nash will lead the men's team to try to qualify for the London Olympics. Nash led Canada to a seventh finish in 2000 Sydney Games since which the country has never seen their men's or women's team play in the Olympics.

Also hired Tuesday was Rowan Barrett as assistant general manager.

The men's team has been without a head coach since Leo Rautins resigned in September after Canada's disappointing performance at the Olympic qualifying tournament.