Dick Van Arsdale, the “Original Sun” who scored the franchise’s first points, has died at the age of 81.

He was selected by the New York Knicks in the second round (10th overall) in 1965 and moved to Phoenix via expansion draft for the Suns’ debut season in 1968-69. He made his first All-Star team that year and the next two seasons.

““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 said in a statement Monday.

“Our thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time, including his twin brother and Suns teammate Tom.”

Van Arsdale, an Indiana native who stayed home to play for the Hoosiers in college along with his twin brother Tom, played with the Suns until his retirement after the 1976-77 season. This included the team’s first of three trips to the NBA Finals in 1976.

In the final season of 1976/77, which was also Tom’s last, he shared the place with Tom again.

In nine years with the Suns, Dick Van Arsdale averaged 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

He is sixth on the franchise’s all-time scoring list. Van Arsdale’s 12,060 career points rank behind Shawn Marion (12,134) in fifth place and ahead of Amar’e Stoudemire (11,035) in seventh place. They are the two youngest Suns Ring of Honor inductees.

Van Arsdale ranks in the top five in Phoenix franchise history in games played (685), minutes played (24,242) and field goal attempts (9,185).

Dick Van Arsdale remained close to the Suns even after his playing career

Van Arsdale remained anchored in the Phoenix community and with the Suns even after his retirement. He served as general manager, senior vice president of player personnel and even interim head coach (1986–87).

He finished 14-12 that coaching season after taking over for John MacLeod, another member of the Suns Ring of Honor.

Van Arsdale also took on a gig as a commentator alongside the Voice of the Suns, Al McCoy, who died in September.

Van Arsdale remained in Phoenix, as did Tom. After suffering a stroke in 2005, his recovery turned him to art and the brothers opened a studio near their Scottsdale homes.

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