Former NBA player, Wake Forest University alum and Durham native Rodney Rogers died Friday, the university announced.
Rogers was 54.
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.
In 2008, a life-altering accident left Rogers paralyzed from the shoulders down. It 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.
The Durham native, nicknamed “Durham Bull,” played from 1990-93 at Wake Forest.
Rogers attended Hillside High School in Durham. In 1990, he was North Carolina Mr. Basketball (given to the top player in the state) and was a McDonald’s All-American.
Rogers had a 12-year NBA career, playing for the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers.
In 2000, Rogers won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
In his NBA career, Rogers scored 9,468 points, hauled in 3,881 rebounds and dished out 1,722 assists.
The Nuggets selected Rogers with the ninth overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, Wake Forest’s highest draft position since Len Chappell went fourth overall in 1962.
Rogers is credited to elevating the Wake Forest men’s basketball program. He remains one of only seven players in ACC history, and the only Demon Deacon, to earn both ACC Freshman of the Year (1991) and ACC Player of the Year (1993) honors.
In 1991, he led 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.
Rogers’ No. 54 jersey is retired in the rafters of Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. He is also a member of the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame.
