Dick Van Arsdale, original Suns player in 1968, dies at 81

Dick Van Arsdale, original Suns player in 1968, dies at 81 1 | ASL

PHOENIX — Dick Van Arsdale, a three-time All-Star who became the first player after being selected by the franchise in the 1968 expansion draft, has died. He was 81.

The Suns announced Van Arsdale’s death in a statement on Monday and a team spokesman confirmed that the franchise had received the news from his family. A cause of death wasn’t disclosed.

The 6-foot-5 Van Arsdale played his first three NBA seasons with the Knicks before being selected by the Suns with their first pick in the 1968 expansion draft. He an All-Star during his first three seasons in the desert, averaging a career-high 21.9 points during the 1970-71 season.

Van Arsdale was part of the franchise’s 1976 team that advanced to the NBA Finals before losing to the and retired in 1977 as the franchise’s all-time scoring leader. His is survived by twin brother, Tom Van Arsdale, who was also a three-time NBA All-Star and played with his brother in Phoenix during the 1976-77 season.

After his playing days, Dick Van Arsdale held several positions with the franchise, including broadcaster and front-office executive.

Source: espn.com

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