The Phoenix Suns announced Monday the death of “Ring of Honor” member Dick Van Arsdale.
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Arsdale died at the age of 81.
“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 said, in a statement Monday confirming Van Arsdale’s death.
A three-time All-Star, Van Arsdale played his final nine NBA seasons with the Suns after spending his first three with the New York Knicks, who drafted him in the second round of the 1965 draft out of Indiana.
A shooting guard, Van Arsdale joined the Suns as their first pick in the 1968 NBA expansion draft, a distinction that earned him the “Original Sun” title. He scored the franchise’s first points, helped the Suns reach their first NBA Finals in 1976 and retired in 1977 as their all-time scoring leader with 12,060 points.
He and his twin brother, Tom, were teammates in Phoenix, for their final NBA season in 1976-77. Dick Van Arsdale remained connected with the Suns as a broadcaster, general manager and senior vice president of player personnel.
Van Arsdale was even an interim head coach for the Suns to end the 1986-87 season. Replacing John MacLeod, Van Arsdale went 14-12 for the 36-46 Suns.
In their statement Monday, the Suns called Van Arsdale, “a cornerstone” of the franchise who was “beloved throughout the Suns organization and fan base” over the years.
“Our thoughts are with his friends and family, including his twin brother and Suns teammate, Tom, during this difficult time,” the Suns concluded the statement.
This article will be updated.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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