Former Wake Forest star Rodney Rogers, who went on to spend 12 years in the NBA, has died. He was 54 years old.
[Wake Forest announced](https://godeacs.com/news/2025/11/22/general-wake-forest-basketball-legend-rodney-rogers-passes-away) Rogers’ death this past weekend.
"Rogers leaves behind a towering legacy as one of the most transformative players in program history and an enduring example of courage, generosity, and Pro Humanitate spirit," the statement from Wake Forest said.
Rodney Rogers was paralyzed from the shoulders down after being injured in a dirt bike accident in 2008, according to [The Associated Press](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587341&xs=1&xcust=mconnolly%7C&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnba%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F47062653%2Fex-wake-forest-nba-player-rodney-rogers-dies-54&product_category=Toys+%26+Games%3EToys%3ESports+Toys). The outlet reports that Rogers died from natural causes linked to his spinal cord injury.
Rogers played a big role in raising the Demon Deacons program to another level during the 1990s.
He was named the ACC Freshman of the Year in 1991, before earning First-Team All-ACC honors in 1992 and 1993. Rogers was also named the ACC Player of the Year and a first-team All-American that season after leading Wake Forest to the Sweet 16.
He averaged 21.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game during his junior season, before leaving for the NBA.
The Durham, N.C. native was drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the No. 9 overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft.
He also played for the Clippers, Suns, Celtics, Nets, Hornets and 76ers across his 12-year NBA career.
The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 10.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for his NBA career, earning Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2000 while playing for the Suns.