Courtesy of Phoenix Suns
Audio By Carbonatix
Just months after the death of Phoenix Suns icon Al McCoy, legendary player Dick Van Arsdale has died, according to a team statement. Known as the “Original Sun” after he was Phoenix’s top pick in the 1968 expansion draft, Van Arsdale was 81.
Arsdale played for the Suns for nine seasons, from 1968 through 1977, and averaged 17.6 points per game. He made the All-Star team in each of his first three seasons with Phoenix and retired atop many of the club’s statistical leaderboards. He still appears on many of them nearly 50 years later, ranking third in minutes played, fourth in games played, sixth in points scored and second in free throws made.
After his retirement, Van Arsdale worked in the Suns’ front office and later served as a TV and radio commentator for team broadcasts. He also served as interim head coach for a stretch in 1987.
The Suns retired Van Arsdale’s No. 5 jersey after he retired in 1977. When the team’s Ring of Honor opened in 1999, Van Arsdale was one of its first inductees.
Will you step up to support New Times this year?
At New Times, we’re small and scrappy — and we make the most of every dollar from our supporters. Right now, we’re $17,250 away from reaching our December 31 goal of $30,000. If you’ve ever learned something new, stayed informed, or felt more connected because of New Times, now’s the time to give back.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale, the “Original Sun” and a member of our Ring of Honor.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 16, 2024
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
In a statement, the Suns said, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale” and that the team’s “thoughts are with his friends and family,” including his twin brother, Tom Van Arsdale, who played alongside Dick with the Suns in the 1976-77 season.
The team’s statement did not specify what day Van Arsdale died or the cause of his death.
