Dick Van Arsdale dies at age 81; 3-time NBA All-Star played 12 seasons with Suns, Knicks | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Former Suns player Dick Van Arsdale is presented with the new Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor during the NBA game against the Utah Jazz at the Footprint Center on October 28, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 126-104. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Dick Van Arsdale, a three-time NBA All-Star who played for the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, died Monday at the age of 81, the Suns announced on social media.

Phoenix Suns @Sun

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 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… pic.twitter.com/ujpVhLrsxK

Van Arsdale was a standout at Indiana from 1962 to 1965, earning All-American honors along with his twin brother Tom. He averaged 17.2 points and 10 rebounds per game during his three seasons with the Hoosiers.

He was selected by the New York Knicks in the second round of the 1965 NBA draft and put up 12.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game to earn NBA All-Rookie Team honors.

After three seasons with the Knicks, Van Arsdale was the first pick of the Phoenix Suns in the 1968 expansion draft, earning him the nickname “Original Sun”. His first year in Phoenix saw him land on his first All-Star team as he put up 21 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He was also named an All-Star over the next two seasons and landed on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1974.

Van Arsdale retired after the 1976-77 season, having totaled 15,079 points, 3,807 rebounds and 3,057 assists over his 12 years in the league. He was the Suns’ all-time leading scorer when he retired.

After his retirement, Van Arsdale remained associated with the Suns, serving as their general manager and senior vice president of player personnel, interim head coach in 1987, and as a television and radio color commentator.

Van Arsdale was inducted into the Suns’ Ring of Honor in 1999 and has had his jersey number retired by the organization.