Dick Van Arsdale, a former second-round pick of the Knicks who later became known as the “Original Sun,” has died, the Suns announced on social media Monday.

He was 81 years old.

A cause of death was not given.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale, the ‘Original Sun’ and member of our Ring of Honor,” the Suns wrote in their statement. “Van Arsdale was the first selection in the expansion draft to build the Suns roster and the scorer of the first points in team history. He was a cornerstone of the Suns organization.”

Before building his legacy in Phoenix, Van Arsdale helped the Knicks to two playoff appearances in three seasons with the franchise.

The Knicks selected Van Arsdale in the 1965 NBA draft following his college career at Indiana, and he averaged 12.8 points per game in 236 games while adding 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game during his tenure in New York Add game.

When the Post’s Mike Vaccaro ranked the Knicks’ 75 best players in franchise history in 2021, Van Arsdale made it to No. 64.

However, after the end of the 1967–68 season, the Suns secured Van Arsdale with their first pick in the expansion draft, and he earned All-Star honors over the next three seasons while spending the final nine years of his NBA career in Phoenix spent.

Van Arsdale helped the Suns reach the 1976 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Celtics.

His identical twin brother Tom joined the Suns after that long postseason campaign, allowing the two to reunite as teammates for the first time since their collegiate seasons with the Hoosiers in a season that was their last .

Van Arsdale also finished his career as the Suns’ all-time leading scorer.

“We will always remember this season,” Van Arsdale said of the 1976-77 season in the Suns’ 25th anniversary book published in 1992. “Because it was our last one in the league and we got to play together. But as far as basketball itself goes, things could have gone a lot better.”

Van Arsdale served as interim coach of the Suns a decade after his retirement, leading Phoenix to a 14-12 record and managing a string of 10 wins in 11 games to close the season.

He also served as Phoenix’s general manager and senior vice president of player personnel.

“Van Arsdale is beloved throughout the Suns organization and fan base and has held various positions with the team following his 12-year NBA career, including broadcaster and front office manager,” the Suns wrote in their statement. “Our thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time, including his twin brother and Suns teammate Tom.”