Tom Van Arsdale was a professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 12 seasons. He was born on February 22, 1943, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and attended Indiana University, where he played college basketball.
Van Arsdale was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 1965 NBA draft. He played for the Pistons for two seasons before being traded to the Cincinnati Royals. He played for the Royals for three seasons before being traded to the Phoenix Suns.
Van Arsdale played for the Suns for six seasons and was a key player on the team during their early years. He was known for his scoring ability and his versatility on the court. He was also a solid defender and rebounder.
Van Arsdale was named an NBA All-Star in 1970 and 1971. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1971. He was a consistent scorer throughout his career, averaging over 15 points per game in six different seasons.
After leaving the Suns, Van Arsdale played for the Buffalo Braves and the Philadelphia 76ers before retiring in 1977. He finished his career with 14,232 points, 4,125 rebounds, and 2,523 assists.
After retiring from playing, Van Arsdale went on to have a successful career as a coach and executive in the NBA. He served as an assistant coach for the Suns, the New York Knicks, and the Dallas Mavericks. He also served as the head coach of the Suns and the Indiana Pacers.
Van Arsdale was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1981. He was also inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor in 2018, in recognition of his contributions to the team during their early years.
Overall, Tom Van Arsdale was a talented and versatile basketball player who had a successful career in the NBA. He was a consistent scorer and a solid defender, and he was recognized for his contributions with two All-Star selections and a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team. After retiring from playing, he went on to have a successful career as a coach and executive in the NBA.
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