Dick Van Arsdale, a famed NBA All-Star and the first draftee for the Phoenix Suns in the 1968 expansion draft, passed away on December 16, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. The cause of his death was heart and kidney failure. He was 81 years old.
In a statement, the Suns expressed their deep sadness over the loss of Van Arsdale, who was affectionately referred to as the ‘Original Sun.’ He was a member of the Suns’ Ring of Honor and was the first to score points in the team’s history.
Van Arsdale, born on February 22, 1943, in Indianapolis, Indiana, stood at 6-feet-5-inches and weighed 210 pounds during his professional career. He attended Manual High School in Indianapolis and later played college basketball at Indiana University, earning All-American honors in 1965.
He was selected by the New York Knicks in the second round of the 1965 NBA Draft as the 13th overall pick. During his tenure with the Knicks, Van Arsdale averaged 12.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in 236 games. He also helped the team to reach the playoffs twice.
Van Arsdale’s career trajectory changed significantly when he was picked by the Phoenix Suns in the 1968 expansion draft. He proved his worth in Phoenix by acquiring All-Star honors in his first three seasons with the team. In the 1970-71 season, he achieved his career-high average of 21.9 points per game.
In 1976, Van Arsdale played a significant role in leading the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance. The team, however, lost to the Boston Celtics. In the succeeding season, his identical twin brother, Tom Van Arsdale, also a three-time NBA All-Star, joined him at the Suns. This allowed them to play their final NBA season together.
In 1978, the brothers made use of their identical looks in a Miller Lite beer TV commercial.
Van Arsdale retired in 1977, making a mark as the Suns’ all-time leading scorer. He had career averages of 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game throughout his 12-year NBA career. After retirement, he continued his association with the Suns organization in various capacities such as broadcaster, interim head coach, general manager, and senior vice president of player personnel. As interim coach in the 1987 season, he guided the team to a 14-12 record, with a notable streak of 10 wins in 11 games.
Van Arsdale battled a stroke in 2005 that impaired his speech. He later developed an interest in art and began working with his brother Tom, who was into oil painting. Together, they opened an art studio in 2018. His health had been deteriorating in the past year, according to former Indiana University teammate Jon McGlocklin.
In addition to his brother, Van Arsdale is survived by his wife, Barbara Fenton, whom he married in 1965; his son, Jason; his daughter, Jill; and four grandchildren.
