PHOENIX (AP) — Dick Van Arsdale, a three-time All-Star who became the first Phoenix Suns player after being selected by the franchise in the 1968 expansion draft, has died. He was 81 years old.
The Suns announced Van Arsdale’s death in a statement Monday, and a team spokesperson confirmed the franchise received the news from his family. The cause of death has not been released.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale, the “Original Sun” and member of our Ring of Honor.
First selection in the expansion draft to build the Suns roster and scorer of the first points in the team’s history, Van Arsdale was a cornerstone of… pic.twitter.com/ujpVhLrsxK
-Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 16, 2024
Van Arsdale, 6-foot-5, played his first three NBA seasons with the New York Knicks before being selected by the Suns with their first pick in the 1968 expansion draft. He was an All-Star in his first three seasons in the desert, averaging a career-high 21.9 points during the 1970-71 season.
Van Arsdale was part of the franchise’s 1976 team that advanced to the NBA Finals before losing to the Boston Celtics and retired in 1977 as the franchise’s all-time scoring leader . He is survived by his twin brother, Tom Van Arsdale, who was also a three-time NBA All-Star and played with his brother in Phoenix during the 1976-77 season.
After his playing days, Dick Van Arsdale held several positions within the franchise, including broadcaster and front office manager.
