Dick Van Arsdale, the first player added to the roster of the expansion Phoenix Suns in 1968, died at age 81.
No cause of death was revealed for Van Arsdale, known as the “Original Sun.”
Later, his identical twin brother, Tom, played with him on the Suns in the 1976-77 season — the brothers’ final NBA seasons.
The Suns announced Dick Van Arsdale’s death on Monday.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale, the ‘Original Sun’ and a member of our Ring of Honor,” a team statement said..
“The first selection in the expansion draft to build the Suns roster and the scorer of the first points in team history, Van Arsdale was a cornerstone of the Suns organization. He earned three All-Star selections, was a member of the team’s first trip to the NBA Finals in 1976 and retired as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer in 1977. Beloved throughout the Suns organization and fanbase, Van Arsdale held several positions with the team, including broadcaster and front office executive, following his 12-year NBA career.”
An Indianapolis native, the 6-foot-5 Van Arsdale played collegiately at Indiana alongside his brother. Dick was selected No. 13 overall in the 1965 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, with the Detroit Pistons taking Tom one pick later.
Dick Van Arsdale was an All-Star in each of his first three seasons in Phoenix, averaging at least 21 points in each campaign.
He played in 921 career games and retired with averages of 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
The brothers later opened an art studio in suburban Scottsdale.
–Field Level Media
