Richard Albert Van Arsdale was an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns. A three-time NBA All-Star selection with the Suns, his No. 5 jersey was retired by the Phoenix Suns and he is a member of the Suns Ring of Honor. Jerry Colangelo, who was the Suns' first general manager, interim coach (twice), and part owner called Van Arsdale "the pillar of the Phoenix Suns franchise" upon Van Arsdale's retirement in 1977. An All-Star in each of his first three seasons with Phoenix, Van Arsdale remains known as "the Original Sun".
