The idea of Steve Nash in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey is still a fresh concept that will take some getting used to.
Maybe that's why the signed Nash Lakers jersey hanging on the wall of the Savoury Cafe on Oak Bay Avenue has drawn such interest.
The jersey is being raffled off through Dec. 18, with all proceeds going to the Mustard Seed Food Bank. Raffle tickets are $1 or a donated non-perishable food item.
The café owner, Alan Pang, said more than 400 tickets have already been sold with his goal to sell 1,000. "It's probably the only Nash-signed Lakers jersey in town right now," Pang said.
"I wanted to make it affordable for everyone to have a chance to win this wonderful prize."
The signed jersey was obtained through meeting an old school friend over the summer. Pang attended Arbutus Junior High School with Nash and Jenny Miller. Miller co-heads the Steve Nash Foundation which does charitable work on the Island and around the world.
Miller gave Pang the signed Lakers jersey.
"Hopefully, he'll be playing in one soon," quipped Pang, referring to a leg injury that has kept Nash out of the Lakers lineup for much of the early season.
The 38-year-old Island product and two-time NBA MVP signed with the Lakers over the summer after eight seasons with the Phoenix Suns but injured his leg in just the second game of this season. The injury, originally thought minor, is now deemed a fracture in his lower leg and the Lakers said Wednesday that Nash will miss at least another three games.
cdheensaw@timescolonist.com
