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Thomas Arthur "Tom" Van Arsdale 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 identical twin 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 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. Both Tom and Dick's original locker remain in the display case in the lobby of Emmerich Manual High School's gymnasium.
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