Dick Van Arsdale, a legendary figure in Phoenix Suns history and the first player selected in the franchise’s expansion draft, has died. The Suns announced his passing on Monday without noting a cause of death. Van Arsdale was 81.
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Van Arsdale, a second-round pick by the New York Knicks in 1965, spent three seasons with the team before joining the Suns. From 1968 to 1977, he showcased his talents as a key player for the Suns.
“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,” the Phoenix Suns said in a news release. “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,” the team added.
Van Arsdale played a pivotal role in propelling the Suns to the 1976 NBA Finals, where they ultimately fell to the Celtics.
Dick Van Arsdale Played Alongside His Twin Brother for the Suns
Tom, his identical twin brother, joined the Suns after their impressive postseason run, reuniting the duo as teammates for the first time since their college days with the Hoosiers. This season also marked the final chapter of their careers, bringing their journey full circle.
“Our thoughts are with his friends and family, including his twin brother and Suns teammate, Tom, during this difficult time,” the team’s statement concluded.
The Knicks also paid tribute to Van Arsdale.
“We mourn the loss of Knicks alum, Dick Van Arsdale. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Van Arsdale family,” the team wrote on X.
Van Arsdale appeared in 921 games during his career, boasting impressive averages of 16.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, per CBS Sports.
A decade after retiring, Van Arsdale stepped in as the Suns’ interim coach, leading the team to a respectable 14-12 record. His tenure included an impressive run of 10 wins in their final 11 games of the season.
Beyond coaching, he also made his mark off the court, serving as the Suns’ general manager and senior vice president of player personnel. He later became a radio commentator alongside Al McCoy.