Suns icon Dick Van Arsdale dead at 81

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Phoenix Suns great Dick Van Arsdale, who was the first player picked in the franchise’s expansion draft to build the team, has died, the team announced on Monday. He was 81.

Van Arsdale, who was a second-round pick of the New York Knicks in 1965, played three seasons with the team before he went to Phoenix. He played for the Suns from 1968 to 1977.

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Phoenix Suns guard Dick Van Arsdale, #5, is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Pete Maravich, #44, at The Omni on Oct. 30, 1971 in Atlanta. (Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports)

"The first selection in the expansion draft to build the Suns roster and the scorer of the first points in team history, Van Arsdale was a cornerstone of the Suns organization," the team said in a news release. "He earned three All-Star selections, was a member of the team’s first trip to the NBA Finals in 1976 and retired as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer in 1977. 

"Beloved throughout the Suns organization and fanbase, Van Arsdale held several positions with the team, including broadcaster and front office executive, following his 12-year NBA career."

 A team spokesman told The Associated Press that the franchise had received the news from his family. A cause of death was not immediately released.

FILE - Phoenix Suns' Dick Van Arsdale, #5, comes in on a play as New York Knicks' Dick Barnett, #12, prepares to move out with the ball during an NBA basketball game at New York City's Madison Square Garden on Oct. 21, 1969. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm, File)

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 "Our thoughts are with his friends and family,