“Dick Van Arsdale has been called up to the NBA All-Star Game for three years”, — write: sport.ua
He began his career with the Kentucky varsity team, but later transferred to Indiana University. There, young Van Arsdale was noticed by the head coach of the US youth team, who invited him to participate in the 1965 Summer Universiade.
The USA team won that Universiade, and Van Arsdale was selected by New York in the NBA draft. The player played three seasons for the Knicks, after which he moved to the Phoenix, where his career took off rapidly.
In 1968, it was the performance of Dick Van Arsdale that helped Phoenix reach the historic finals, where the team lost to Boston.
Van Arsdale was a three-time NBA All-Star (1969–1971). Dick was consistently among the best free throw shooters in professional basketball, averaging 79% for his career and nearly 80% between 1969 and 1977.
Having finished his career in 1977, Dick Van Arsdale later took up coaching.
Dick has a twin brother, Tom, who was also a professional basketball player.