Two-time NBA most valuable player Steve Nash has withdrawn from next month's NBA trip to South Africa because of back spasms.

Nash, who was born in South Africa, had planned to make the trip with Phoenix Suns teammate Boris Diaw and other current and former NBA players as part of the league's Basketball Without Borders program.

"In light of our preseason schedule and our current European training camp, we felt it will be best to limit his travel," Suns coach and general manager Mike D'Antoni said in a statement released by the team on Tuesday. "This is very precautionary and I have every confidence that Steve will be 100 percent and ready to take part in our informal workouts next month."