Sports
Tom Van Arsdale
born 1943 · basketball player
Identical twin of Dick Van Arsdale who began his 12-season NBA career with three years as a Pistons shooting guard.
- Born
Indianapolis, Indiana
age 83- Birth name
- Thomas Arthur Van Arsdale
- Detroit years
- 1965–1968
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Detroit drafted Tom Van Arsdale 14th overall in 1965, immediately after the Knicks took his identical twin brother Dick, making them the first twins ever picked in the same NBA draft. He played shooting guard for the Pistons for three seasons, splitting time with fellow guard Eddie Miles as Detroit tried to build a winner around him. On the January 1968 trade deadline, Detroit dealt Van Arsdale to the Cincinnati Royals, hoping the return pieces could push the Pistons into the playoffs for the first time in years. He and Dick later became the first twins to play in the same NBA All-Star Game.
Highlights
- Drafted 14th overall by the Pistons in 1965, minutes after his twin Dick went to the Knicks
- Played shooting guard for Detroit 1965–1968
- Traded to the Cincinnati Royals at the 1968 deadline
- With twin brother Dick, the first twins to play in the same NBA All-Star Game
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 1965–1968
Cobo Arena
Closed
The Pistons' downtown home during his three Detroit seasons.