WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Wake Forest Athletics mourns the passing of Demon Deacons legend, Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame member, and 2022 Wake Forest Distinguished Alumni Award honoree Rodney Rogers (’94), who passed away on November 21, 2025. A native of Durham, N.C., 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. He is survived by his wife, Faye; and his children, daughter Roddreka, currently an assistant coach with Georgia State women’s basketball and a former Georgia Tech standout (2013–16); son Rodney Rogers II; and daughter Rydeiah, who played basketball at NC State from 2015–19.
Known as the “Durham Bull” during his prep career, Rogers brought that same power and relentlessness to Winston-Salem. He became the catalyst for elevating Wake Forest men’s basketball into one of the nation’s premier programs throughout the 1990s.
Rogers made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 1991 while leading the Demon Deacons to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1984. He followed with a First Team All-ACC selection in 1992, and in 1993—after guiding Wake Forest to the NCAA Sweet 16—he was named ACC Player of the Year and a First Team All-American.
He remains one of only seven players in ACC history, and the only Demon Deacon, to earn both ACC Freshman of the Year and ACC Player of the Year honors.
After his junior season, Rogers declared for the NBA Draft, but the foundation he helped build powered the program’s rise. Wake Forest went on to make seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 1991–97, including an ACC Championship run and the Tim Duncan era under the leadership of Coach Dave Odom that followed immediately after Rogers’ departure.
Rogers was selected ninth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1993 NBA Draft — the program’s highest draft position since Len Chappell went fourth overall in 1962. Over a distinguished 12-year NBA career, Rogers averaged 11 points per game, earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors and became widely respected for his toughness, versatility and professionalism before retiring in 2005.
In 2008, a life-altering accident left Rogers paralyzed from the shoulders down, yet he remained a powerful and inspirational presence. His perseverance, positive outlook and commitment to others led to the establishment of the Rodney Rogers Foundation, where he encouraged individuals living with spinal cord injuries and used his platform to promote resilience and personal growth. His story of courage continued to inspire the Wake Forest community and countless others across the country.
In recognition of his impact, Rogers received one of Wake Forest University’s highest honors as a 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. With that, President Susan R. Wente awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at that event.
Rogers’ No. 54 jersey hangs in the rafters of Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, a lasting reminder of his remarkable career and the standard he set for Demon Deacons for generations to come.
Wake Forest Athletics extends its deepest condolences to the Rogers family and all who were inspired by Rodney’s extraordinary life, career and spirit.
What They’re Saying About Rodney Rogers
- Faye Rogers:
- “Rodney Rogers, an NBA legend who played 12 years in the league, passed away on November 21, 2025 from natural causes related to the spinal cord injury he sustained on November 28, 2008. He made his transition peacefully, surrounded by the endless love of his devoted wife, Faye. Rodney leaves behind his beloved wife, Faye Rogers; his daughters, Roddreka and Rydiah; his sons, Rodney II, Devonte Rogers, and Eric Hipilito — whom he embraced as a son; and his mother, Estelle Spencer. The last 18 years have been both challenging and profoundly blessed. Through every moment, Rodney remained a light — positive, motivated and full of the quiet strength that inspired everyone around him. Our family would also like to express our deep gratitude for the unwavering support from our Wake Forest and NBA families over the years. Your care, presence and kindness carried us more than you know. We kindly ask that you respect our family’s privacy during this time of healing. Further information will be shared as it becomes available.”
- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie (’93):
- “Rodney Rogers transformed and accelerated the upward trajectory of Wake Forest University as well as Demon Deacons basketball from the moment he signed his letter of intent in the fall of 1989. His generational combination of power and grace as a player was exceeded only by the size of his heart. His perseverance and spirit following his accident inspired thousands and embodied the true meaning of Pro Humanitate. Rodney showed us what strength looks like in every chapter of life. Our hearts are with Faye, Roddreka, Rodney II, Rydiah and the entire Rogers family.”
- Head Coach Steve Forbes:
- “Rodney Rogers made a tremendous impact on Demon Deacon basketball. I remember watching him play in college and in the NBA and always had an immense respect for him. Since I came to Wake Forest, I have heard so many stories about Rodney and his family. The impact he had in this community and the basketball world went way beyond his on-court accomplishments. Everyone associated with our program is saddened by his passing and our thoughts are with his family.”
- President Susan R. Wente:
- “Rodney Rogers made an extraordinary impact on Wake Forest, not only through his athletic achievements but through the strength, humility and generosity he demonstrated throughout his life. I had the privilege of celebrating him at our Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony in 2022, and the joy, gratitude and inspiration he brought into that room remains one of the most memorable moments of my presidency. Our entire community felt the depth of his spirit that evening—his love for Wake Forest, his resilience and the way he lifted others up with kindness. At the 2022 Commencement Ceremony, I awarded him the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters. Rodney embodied Pro Humanitate in every chapter of his life, and we are profoundly grateful for all he gave to Wake Forest.”
- Herman Eure (Ph.D. ’74)
- “Rodney was a committed person to the University and to doing the right thing. He came back every year and talked to me about finishing his degree. With that, one of the proudest moments I have ever been a part of in my career was when he received his honorary degree. I was truly honored to be a part of that experience with him.”
- Randolph Childress:
- “I do not come to Wake Forest without Rodney Rogers. He and Charles Harrison, who also recently passed away, were at a Nike camp together, and that’s where our lifelong friendship began. Rodney is the strongest person I have ever met — physically and mentally — and his resilience was evident in the fight he showed every single day. I’ve said this before and I still mean it today: he was the best athlete ever to walk onto Wake Forest’s campus. He meant so much to so many people, and I feel profoundly blessed to have been with him yesterday.”
- Former Head Coach Dave Odom:
- “Rodney is truly one of the greatest athletes to ever play in the Atlantic Coast Conference — without reservation. You can place him alongside the very best our league has ever seen. It’s easy to focus on his extraordinary talent, but what stood out to everyone who knew him was that he was every bit as remarkable as a human being. He loved his teammates, he loved his family, he loved Wake Forest and he loved the game of basketball. He loved playing for Wake Forest. Every time we visited him, I walked away reminding myself never to complain — because he never did. He faced life exactly as it came and made the very best of every moment. He was a joy to watch as a basketball player, but he was an even greater man. He shared his strength, his spirit and his life with everyone around him.”
- Former Director of Athletics Ron Wellman (1992-2019):
- “Rodney was among the kindest individuals I’ve ever known and one of the most gifted players to wear the Wake Forest uniform. He loved Wake Forest, and that love continued long after he left campus as he and his family remained closely connected to our entire University community. His influence reached far beyond his play—Rodney inspired us because of the person he was.”
