Former NBA forward Rodney Rogers passed away Friday at age 54, Wake Forest University announced.
Rogers was a Durham, N.C., native and one of the most decorated players in Demon Deacons history.
Rogers starred at Wake Forest from 1990 to 1993, winning ACC Freshman of the Year, earning first-team All-ACC honors and capping his college career as the conference’s Player of the Year.
He averaged 19.3 points and 7.9 rebounds across three seasons and remains the only Demon Deacon ever to win both Freshman and Player of the Year awards. Just six other players in ACC history have done the same.
Rogers left for the NBA after his junior year and was selected ninth overall in the 1993 draft.
The 6-foot-7 forward played 12 seasons for seven teams, including the Nuggets, Clippers, Suns, Celtics, the 76ers and Hornets. He averaged 10.9 points and 4.5 rebounds across 866 regular-season games.
His best years came with the Nuggets, Clippers and Suns. Rogers won Sixth Man of the Year in 1999-2000 with Phoenix, averaging 13.8 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 43 percent from three.
Rogers’ life changed in 2008 when an accident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down.
His wife, Faye, said he died of natural causes related to the spinal cord injury he suffered 17 years ago.
The NBA said it was “deeply saddened” by his passing, adding that Rogers will be remembered for his resilience, courage and generosity throughout his life.
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