Dick Van Arsdale, a three-time NBA All-Star known for being the first player chosen in the Phoenix Suns’ 1968 expansion draft, passed away on December 16, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 81. The cause of his death was a combination of heart and kidney failure.

The Phoenix Suns communicated their grief over the loss of Van Arsdale, often referred to as the “Original Sun” and a member of their Ring of Honor. Besides the distinction of being the first player selected in the Suns’ expansion draft, he was the first to score points for the team in its history.

Van Arsdale, born on February 22, 1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana, grew to a height of 6 feet 5 inches and a weight of 210 pounds during his professional basketball career. Prior to the NBA, Van Arsdale attended Manual High School in Indianapolis and then went on to play college basketball at Indiana University, garnering All-American honors in 1965.

The New York Knicks picked Van Arsdale in the second round (13th overall) of the 1965 NBA Draft. In the 236 games he played over three seasons with the Knicks, he averaged 12.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, contributing to the team’s two playoff appearances.

His career trajectory significantly changed when the Phoenix Suns selected him as their inaugural pick in the 1968 expansion draft. Van Arsdale’s impact was immediate and he earned All-Star honors in his first three seasons with the Suns. He hit a career-high average of 21.9 points per game during the 1970-71 season.

One of the highlights of Van Arsdale’s career was in 1976 when he played a key role in taking the Suns to their first NBA Finals, even though they were defeated by the Boston Celtics. The subsequent season was particularly memorable as his identical twin brother, Tom Van Arsdale, also a three-time NBA All-Star, joined the Suns. This allowed the brothers to play their final NBA season together.

In 1978, the Van Arsdale twins showcased their identical appearances in a Miller Lite beer television commercial.

Van Arsdale retired in 1977 as the Suns’ all-time leading scorer. His career averages included 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game over his 12-year NBA career. Following his retirement, he remained deeply involved with the Suns, taking on multiple roles such as broadcaster, interim head coach, general manager, and senior vice president of player personnel. As interim coach in 1987, he guided the team to a 14-12 record, which included an impressive run of 10 victories in 11 games.

After surviving a stroke in 2005, which impaired his speech, Van Arsdale developed an interest in art. He worked closely with his brother Tom, who had pursued oil painting. The brothers opened an art studio together in 2018. His former Indiana University teammate Jon McGlocklin noted that Van Arsdale’s health had been declining over the past year.

Van Arsdale married Barbara Fenton in 1965. He is survived by his wife, his son Jason, his daughter Jill, his brother, and four grandchildren.