Dick Van Arsdale dead at 81: Tributes pour in for three-time NBA All-Star branded ‘The Original Sun’

Dick Van Arsdale, a three-time NBA All-Star and the first player ever to be a Phoenix Sun, has passed away at age 81, according to the team.

Van Arsdale was the first player selected by Phoenix in the team’s 1968 expansion draft.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale, the “Original Sun” and a member of our Ring of Honor,” the Suns wrote on their account on X, formerly Twitter.

The first pick 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 leading scorer in 1977. Beloved throughout the Suns organization and fan base, Van Arsdale held several positions with team, including broadcaster and front office executive, following his 12-year NBA career.

‘Our thoughts go out to his friends and family, including his twin brother and Suns teammate, Tom, at this difficult time.’

Dick Van Arsdale, a three-time NBA All-Star with the Phoenix Suns, has died at the age of 81

Van Arsdale was the first player selected by Phoenix in the team’s 1968 expansion draft

He reached the playoffs twice with Phoenix, including the 1976 NBA Finals (above) vs. Boston

Van Arsdale was an Indianapolis native who played college basketball at Indiana University with his twin brother, Tom.

The brothers were selected back-to-back in the 1965 NBA Draft – with Dick drafted by the New York Knicks with the tenth overall pick and Tom drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the eleventh overall pick.

Dick Van Arsdale played for 12 seasons – first with the Knicks for three before being the first player taken in the Suns expansion draft in 1968. He remained in Phoenix for the rest of his career.

During that time, Phoenix only made the playoffs twice – but did reach the NBA Finals in 1976. There, they lost to the Boston Celtics in six games – with Game 5 of that series, a triple-overtime thriller considered one of the the best basketball games ever played.

After retiring after the 1977 season, playing with his twin brother on the Suns, Van Arsdale remained close to the Phoenix franchise.

He became the team’s general manager and senior vice president of player personnel and even served as interim head coach during the 1987 season after the firing of John MacLeod.

In all, Van Arsdale earned three consecutive NBA All-Star appearances, was named to the All-Defensive Second Team in 1974 and was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 1966. He has also earned his No. 5 retired by Sole.