Dick Van Arsdale

Richard Albert Van Arsdale ( born February 22, 1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana ) is a former basketball player for the North American professional league NBA. He is currently a functionary at his former club, the Phoenix Suns, works.

Career

Dick Van Arsdale was drafted in 1965 by the New York Knicks in the second round Draft tenth. After his first year as a pro, he was appointed for his playful power into the NBA All- Rookie Team. The first three years of his career he ran for the New York Knicks before he was selected in 1968 by the newly formed team of the Phoenix Suns in the expansion draft. The last 9 years of his active basketball career, he then remained in Phoenix. Dick Van Arsdale was the first player to the Phoenix Suns have ever taken under contract, so he is still regarded as " The Original Sun". Van Arsdale has also made the first basket for the then new team of Phoenix. During his 12 years as a professional basketball player Dick Van Arsdale scored an average of 16.4 points per game. In the 1976/77 season he played together with his twin brother Tom Van Arsdale for the Suns. After the 1976/77 season he resigned from active competition. In the following season, his jersey was immortalized with the number 5 under the ceiling. The number 5 is since no longer awarded for the Phoenix Suns. Dick Van Arsdale is also one of twelve members of the Ring of Honor of the Phoenix Suns. In the season 1986/87 Dick Van Arsdale has taken over his former club for the last 26 games of the season as a coach. He concluded his trip as a coach with a record of 14 wins from 12 in defeat. Today, Dick Van Arsdale has been with the Phoenix Suns as sports director ( senior vice president of player personnel ).

Awards

• Three-time NBA All-Star (1969, 1970, 1971 )
• All- Defense Second Team in 1974