Legendary former Phoenix Suns star Dick Van Arsdale passed away on Monday at the age of 81. His life was a tapestry of strong bonds, a passion for art, and a competitive spirit. This article delves into the various aspects of his remarkable journey.

The Life and Legacy of Dick Van Arsdale, a Basketball Icon

Early Life and Basketball Beginnings

Dick Van Arsdale's path to the NBA began in Indianapolis, where he was born just 15 minutes after his twin brother, Tom. They grew up as inseparable friends and fierce competitors. Dick idolized Oscar Robertson and went on to share Indiana's Mr. Basketball honors with his brother. Dick was the valedictorian of their high school class, with Tom right behind him in third.Their collegiate years at Indiana were marked by almost identical career averages - 17.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game for Tom and 17.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game for Dick. A "Life" magazine photo featuring their looks attracted the attention of Warner Bros., which offered them a seven-year movie contract that they declined.

NBA Career Highlights

Dick was named a UPI third-team All-American as an Indiana senior and won a gold medal alongside his brother for the United States in the 1965 World University Games. Drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 1965 NBA Draft by New York, Tom went one pick later to Detroit. The loneliness of being separated for the first time led Tom to leave the Pistons, but Dick talked him back.Dick made the 1965-66 All-Rookie team but was left unprotected for the Suns to claim in the 1968 expansion draft. He moved to shooting guard in 1969 when the team acquired Connie Hawkins and Paul Silas. This position switch prompted him to develop a better perimeter shot, and he went on to score 12,060 points as a Sun, a franchise record that stood until Walter Davis broke it.He led the Suns with 21.9 points per game in 1970-71 and was second on the team in five other seasons to Hawkins, Gail Goodrich, and Charlie Scott. "The Flying Dutchman" was picked to three consecutive All-Star Games from 1969 to 1971, facing off against his brother in two of them. His No. 5 was retired alongside Hawkins' No. 42 for many years at Veterans Memorial Coliseum and then-America West Arena before a Ring of Honor was created.

Post-NBA Life and Artistic Pursuits

After retiring from basketball, Dick and Tom entered the real estate business. However, Dick also found a new outlet in art. After suffering a stroke in 2005, which affected his ability to communicate but not his physical abilities, he became an accomplished pen-and-ink artist. He worked daily on his craft and had his work shown at galleries and sold for charity.In later years, Dick and Tom worked side by side at their art studio in Scottsdale. Tom often filled in the gaps in Dick's memory and helped him express himself. Dick and his wife, Barbara, had a daughter, Jill, and a son, Jason, and four grandchildren.Dick's life was a testament to his determination, talent, and the power of family. His legacy in basketball and art will continue to inspire generations to come.