Tom Van Arsdale
Encyclopedia
Thomas Arthur Van Arsdale (born February 22, 1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana
) is a former professional basketball
player. A graduate of Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School
, the 6'5" guard played collegiately at Indiana University
, Van Arsdale was selected by the Detroit Pistons
in the 2nd round of the 1965 NBA Draft
. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team
in 1966, together with his brother Dick Van Arsdale
. Van Arsdale played in the NBA for 12 seasons; with the Pistons, the Cincinnati Royals, the Kansas City-Omaha Kings
, the Philadelphia 76ers
, the Atlanta Hawks
, and the Phoenix Suns
. Van Arsdale, a three-time All-Star, was consistently over his career one of the best free throw shooters in the NBA. He retired from play in 1977.
Van Arsdale still holds the NBA record for most career games played without a playoff appearance. Van Arsdale played 929 games without making a single playoff appearance. Van Arsdale is also the highest scoring player (14,232 career points) in NBA history without a playoff appearance.
He is the identical twin brother of Dick Van Arsdale
, the two brothers played together during the 1976-77 season
(the final year of play for both). Both Tom and Dick's original locker remain in the display case in the lobby of Emmerich Manual High School's gymnasium.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
) is a former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. A graduate of Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School
Emmerich Manual High School
Emmerich Manual High School is a public high school in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It is one of five traditional high schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools district.-Establishment and History:...
, the 6'5" guard played collegiately at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, Van Arsdale was selected by the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
in the 2nd round of the 1965 NBA Draft
1965 NBA Draft
The 1965 NBA Draft was the 19th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 6, 1965, before the 1965–66 season....
. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches; who are not allowed to vote for players on their own team. The All-Rookie Team is generally...
in 1966, together with his brother Dick Van Arsdale
Dick Van Arsdale
Richard Albert Van Arsdale is a former professional basketball player and coach, and a current NBA executive. A graduate of Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School, the 6'5" guard played collegiately at Indiana University, Van Arsdale was selected by the New York Knickerbockers in the 2nd round...
. Van Arsdale played in the NBA for 12 seasons; with the Pistons, the Cincinnati Royals, the Kansas City-Omaha Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
, and the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
. Van Arsdale, a three-time All-Star, was consistently over his career one of the best free throw shooters in the NBA. He retired from play in 1977.
Van Arsdale still holds the NBA record for most career games played without a playoff appearance. Van Arsdale played 929 games without making a single playoff appearance. Van Arsdale is also the highest scoring player (14,232 career points) in NBA history without a playoff appearance.
He is the identical twin brother of Dick Van Arsdale
Dick Van Arsdale
Richard Albert Van Arsdale is a former professional basketball player and coach, and a current NBA executive. A graduate of Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School, the 6'5" guard played collegiately at Indiana University, Van Arsdale was selected by the New York Knickerbockers in the 2nd round...
, the two brothers played together during the 1976-77 season
1976-77 NBA season
The 1976–77 NBA season was the 31st season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Portland Trail Blazers winning the NBA Championship, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
(the final year of play for both). Both Tom and Dick's original locker remain in the display case in the lobby of Emmerich Manual High School's gymnasium.