Rodney Rogers was an All-American at Wake Forest before earning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year title in 2000.
Wake Forest University announced the passing of former basketball star Rodney Rogers this weekend. Rogers was 54 years old and, per the Associated Press, died of natural causes linked to a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down since November 2008.
“He was a consistent force on the court, highlighted by his Sixth Man of the Year Award and his incredible longevity in the league,” National Basketball Players Association executive director Andre Iguodala said in a statement. “Rodney maintained his warm and welcoming presence throughout his time in the league and even after his tragic accident in 2008 that left him paralyzed. I am honored that I had the privilege to personally experience his joy.”
Iguodala had spent parts of his rookie season with Rogers on the 2005 Philadelphia 76ers. That was the final NBA stop of Rogers’ career, as he also played in Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Boston, New Jersey, and New Orleans. The Denver Nuggets drafted Rogers with the ninth overall pick of the 1993 draft after an All-American career in Winston-Salem with Wake Forest.
Born in Durham, N.C., Rogers originally made a name for himself at Hillside High School. He was named a Parade All-American and would later star in the 1990 McDonald’s All-American Game, scoring 17 points in a contest that also featured fellow future NBAers Shawn Bradley, Grant Hill, and Eric Montross.
Rogers would later beat out the Duke-bound Hill for the ACC’s Rookie of the Year title in 1990-91 and averaged 19.3 points and 7.9 rebounds in Winston-Salem. He won the ACC Player of the Year award in his final season, which also saw Wake reach the regional semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nine years. The No. 54 he wore as a Demon Deacon is one of 11 retired by Wake’s men’s program, a list that also includes Tim Duncan and Chris Paul.
RIP RODNEY ROGERS https://t.co/geXZ0ysvHi pic.twitter.com/HhITtC8KJH
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 22, 2025
A 12-year career in the NBA followed after the Nuggets made him a lottery pick. He was a reserve for Denver’s famous 1994 playoff run, which saw them become the first eighth-seeded team to win an NBA playoff series as well as the New Jersey Nets’ run to the 2003 NBA Finals.
In the latter trek, Rogers notably hit a game-winning buzzer-beater during the Nets’ opening-round victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Back during his rookie season, Rogers notably put forth a wild nine points in nine seconds sequence that helped give Denver an unlikely late lead in a game against Utah. Rogers’ most notable season was likely his 1999-2000 effort with the Phoenix Suns, which saw him average 13.8 points a game en route to the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Rogers endured his paralyzing injury in an ATV accident in 2008. He would spent a good part of the rest of his life inspiring others, particularly those in similar situations, offering his unique brand of resilience and hope. For his efforts beyond the floor, Rogers was granted Wake Forest’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022, which also included an honorary degree.
Rogers is survived by his wife Faye and his children Roddreka, Rodney II, and Rydeiah.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
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