Dick Van Arsdale, one of the faces of the expansion Phoenix Suns franchise, has died at age 81, the team announced Monday.
The shooting guard retired as the Suns franchise’s all-time leading scorer in 1977, and continued his association with the team as a front office executive and broadcaster.
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… pic.twitter.com/ujpVhLrsxK
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 16, 2024
“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 in a post on Twitter/X. “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. 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.
“Our thoughts are with his friends and family, including his twin brother and Suns teammate, Tom, during this difficult time.”
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 30: Phoenix Suns forward Gar Heard #24 blocks a shot by Denver Nuggets forward Bobby Jones #24 during an NBA basketball game at McNichols Arena on October 30, 1976 in Denver,… DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 30: Phoenix Suns forward Gar Heard #24 blocks a shot by Denver Nuggets forward Bobby Jones #24 during an NBA basketball game at McNichols Arena on October 30, 1976 in Denver, Colorado. (l-r) referee, Bobby Jones #24, Gar Heard #24, Dick Van Arsdale #5, Dennis Awtrey #21, Dan Issel #25, Ron Lee #25, David Thompson #33. Van Arsdale died at age 81, the Suns announced Monday.
Mark Junge/Getty Images
Selected in the 1968 expansion draft by the Suns after playing three seasons with the New York Knicks, Van Arsdale made All-Star teams in his first three seasons in Phoenix. He played his final nine seasons (1968-77) with the Suns and retired with career averages of 16.4 points per game and 3.3 steals.
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