It was a tragic Monday night for Phoenix Suns franchise after they introduced that the legendary Dick Van Arsdalewho earned the nickname “Authentic Solar” after being the primary participant chosen by the staff within the 1968 enlargement draft, died on the age of 81. Van Arsdale’s household relayed the information to the Suns franchise and the staff rapidly introduced it on Monday. The reason for demise, nevertheless, has not been revealed.
Van Arsdale is a real Suns legend who retired in 1977 because the franchise’s all-time main rusher. (He has since been handed by 5 gamers, with Walter Davis now the staff’s all-time chief in factors.) The 6’5″ guard was decisive bringing relevance to the Suns franchise within the early Nineteen Seventies, incomes three consecutive All-Star picks since becoming a member of the staff in 1968 and proving to be top-of-the-line perimeter scorers of his period.
He will even eternally have the excellence of be the primary participant rating for the Suns franchise, cementing his legacy because the “Authentic Solar.”
“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale, the ‘Authentic Solar’ and member of our Ring of Honor,” learn the Suns’ official assertion on X, previously generally known as Twitter . “Our ideas are along with his family and friends, together with his twin brother and Suns teammate Tom, throughout this troublesome time.”
Van Arsdale is survived by his twin brother Tomwho performed 12 seasons within the NBA and teamed with Dick on the Suns within the remaining yr of their careers in the course of the 1977-1978 season. Our deepest condolences exit to all of Authentic Solar’s household and pals who’re mourning his loss.
Dick Van Arsdale leaves lasting legacy for Suns franchise
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Along with being one of many all-time main scorers for the Suns, Dick Van Arsdale additionally had a profitable post-playing profession with the franchise. He grew to become their basic supervisor and senior vice chairman of participant personnel at one level, then even took over as interim head coach in 1987. He later grew to become a tv and radio coloration commentator , nonetheless for the Suns broadcast.
Nonetheless, at first, Van Arsdale and his spouse weren’t too joyful about having to maneuver from New York to Phoenix following the enlargement draft. But it surely definitely labored out for the perfect, as a result of it depart a long-lasting legacy with frankness.
“Once I obtained the decision from Jerry Colangelo to inform me I used to be going to Phoenix, I used to be shocked. My spouse was crying as a result of we did not wish to depart New York. However we loaded up the automotive and headed west. I used to be fortunate. I had an important run and to prime all of it off, Tom and I ended up enjoying for the Suns collectively in 1977,” Van Arsdale recounted in an interview with Arcadia Information in June 2024.
