In a moment that shakes the very foundation of Arizona hoops, the basketball world mourns the loss of one of its most beloved figures. Dick Van Arsdale, affectionately known as the “Original Sun,” has passed away at the age of 81. His death, confirmed by the Phoenix Suns and later reported by major outlets such as Reuters and ESPN, marks the end of an era for a franchise and a fan base that regarded Van Arsdale as more than just a star.
van Arsdale’s career was nothing short of legendary. Selected by the New York Knicks in the second round of the 1965 NBA Draft, he spent his first few seasons in New York before becoming the first pick in the Suns’ 1968 expansion draft-a move that would forever cement his place in Phoenix basketball lore.
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
He wasn’t just a roster filler: Van Arsdale earned All-Star status three years in a row and delivered headline-grabbing performances while averaging a career-high 21.9 points per game during the 1970–71 season.
But it wasn’t just about numbers-he etched his place in history by scoring the first points ever in the Suns franchise history and retiring as the organization’s all-time leading scorer when he hung up his sneakers in 1977. Off the court, his impact didn’t fade. Van Arsdale became a broadcaster, a front-office executive, and even served a stint as the team’s interim head coach. His name was forever enshrined in the Suns’ Ring of Honor, a permanent reminder of his contributions both on and off the hardwood.
The man behind the myth was born on February 22, 1943, in Indianapolis. Before his pro career began, the Indiana University standout and his twin brother, Tom, were college stars. The twins even shared the stage in Phoenix during the 1976–77 season-the final season for both.
The sudden loss has sparked a tidal wave of tributes from fans, former teammates and the Suns organization. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale, the ‘Original Sun’,” the franchise statement read. “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.”
Van Arsdale’s death leaves a void that reaches beyond stat sheets. He gave hope to a fledgling franchise, helped lead it to its first NBA Finals appearance in 1976, and embodied the resilience of a team that rose from expansion underdog to perennial contender. His legacy lives on in every Suns banner, every retired jersey, and every fan who cheers when the clock hits zero and the game is won.
#IUBB mourns the loss of Indiana alum Dick Van Arsdale. pic.twitter.com/1fEG85MhJK
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 16, 2024
For many in Phoenix, he was more than a player-he was a culture-shifter. A local hero who transcended the hardwood and became woven into the community through his post-career work in broadcasting and team development. His twin brother Tom, who also carved his own NBA legacy, issued a statement honoring Dick’s life and career shortly after the news broke.
In remembering his run, we can’t ignore the clutch moments: the cross-court passes, the corner jumpers, the leadership that helped keep the team competitive during the early years when they lacked deep playoff runs. And while the Suns may now chase championships with new faces and new stars, Dick Van Arsdale’s imprint will never fade-because he was truly the Original Sun.
So while the basketball world lights up with tip-off talk, the Suns organization and far-flung fans alike will also pause, reflect, and salute the life of the man who blazed the trail. The final buzzer may have sounded on his life, but his legacy rumbles through every dribble, every dunk and every Suns highlight reel.
Rest in power, Dick Van Arsdale-81 years of hustle, heart and hoops. You may have left the court, but you’ll never leave the story.