Dick Van Arsdale
Encyclopedia
Richard Albert Van Arsdale (born February 22, 1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana
) is a former professional basketball
player and coach, and a current NBA executive. A graduate of Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School
, the 6'5" guard played collegiately at Indiana University
, Van Arsdale was selected by the New York Knickerbockers
in the 2nd round of the 1965 NBA Draft
. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team
in 1966, together with his brother Tom Van Arsdale
. Van Arsdale played in the NBA for 12 seasons; three with the Knickerbockers and the remainder with the Phoenix Suns
(after he was selected in the 1968 expansion draft). Van Arsdale, a three-time All-Star, was consistently over his career one of the best free throw shooters in the NBA. He retired from play in 1977. Van Arsdale is remembered in Phoenix basketball lore as the "original Sun".
Van Arsdale later became the team's general manager; he is currently the team's senior vice president of player personnel. In 1987, he briefly served as the team's head coach, following the departure of John MacLeod.
He is the identical twin brother of Tom Van Arsdale
.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
) is a former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and coach, and a current NBA executive. A graduate of Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School
Emmerich Manual High School
Emmerich Manual High School is a public high school in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It is one of five traditional high schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools district.-Establishment and History:...
, the 6'5" guard played collegiately at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, Van Arsdale was selected by the New York Knickerbockers
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the 2nd round of the 1965 NBA Draft
1965 NBA Draft
The 1965 NBA Draft was the 19th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 6, 1965, before the 1965–66 season....
. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches; who are not allowed to vote for players on their own team. The All-Rookie Team is generally...
in 1966, together with his brother Tom Van Arsdale
Tom Van Arsdale
Thomas Arthur Van Arsdale is a former professional basketball player. A graduate of Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School, the 6'5" guard played collegiately at Indiana University, Van Arsdale was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2nd round of the 1965 NBA Draft...
. Van Arsdale played in the NBA for 12 seasons; three with the Knickerbockers and the remainder with the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
(after he was selected in the 1968 expansion draft). Van Arsdale, a three-time All-Star, was consistently over his career one of the best free throw shooters in the NBA. He retired from play in 1977. Van Arsdale is remembered in Phoenix basketball lore as the "original Sun".
Van Arsdale later became the team's general manager; he is currently the team's senior vice president of player personnel. In 1987, he briefly served as the team's head coach, following the departure of John MacLeod.
He is the identical twin brother of Tom Van Arsdale
Tom Van Arsdale
Thomas Arthur Van Arsdale is a former professional basketball player. A graduate of Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School, the 6'5" guard played collegiately at Indiana University, Van Arsdale was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2nd round of the 1965 NBA Draft...
.