NBA news: Rodney Rogers, former Sixth Man of the Year winner, dead at 54

Former NBA and Wake Forest star Rodney Rogers has died on the age of 54, the college introduced Saturday.

Rogers died of pure causes associated to a spinal twine damage he suffered in 2008, his spouse Faye stated within the announcement.

Rogers performed twelve seasons within the NBA and was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the 12 months within the 1999–2000 season. Previous to his NBA profession, Rogers turned a Wake Forest legend throughout his school years.

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Rodney Rogers (54) of the Phoenix Suns receives his Sixth Man Award throughout the NBA Western Convention Playoffs Spherical One sport in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs on the America West Enviornment in Phoenix, Arizona, on Could 2, 2000. (Tom Hauck/Allsport)

“Rodney Rogers, an NBA legend who performed within the league for 12 years, handed away on November 21, 2025 from pure causes associated to the spinal twine damage he suffered on November 28, 2008,” Faye Rogers stated in an announcement.

“The previous 18 years have been each difficult and deeply blessed. At each flip, Rodney remained shiny, optimistic, motivated and stuffed with quiet power who impressed everybody round him. Our household would additionally like to specific our deep gratitude for the continued assist of our Wake Forest and NBA households through the years. Your care, presence and kindness have carried us past what you realize. We kindly ask that you simply respect our household’s privateness throughout this time of therapeutic. Additional info can be shared because it turns into out there.”

Rogers suffered the damage in a mud bike accident whereas using with associates the day after Thanksgiving, in line with to WRAL.com.

Rogers was named ACC Freshman of the 12 months in 1991 after main the staff to the NCAA event for the primary time since 1984. He was a first-team All-ACC choice in each 1992 and 1993.

In 1993, after main Wake Forest to the Candy 16, Rogers was named ACC Participant of the 12 months and a first-team All-American. Rogers is the one Wake Forest participant, and solely the seventh ACC participant, to be named each ACC Freshman of the 12 months and ACC Participant of the 12 months.

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Rodney Rodgers (54) of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons seems to move the ball throughout a school basketball sport in opposition to the Maryland Terrapins at Cole Discipline Home. The competitors came about in Faculty Park, Maryland, on January 16, 1993. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Photos)

Rogers is a member of the Wake Forest Sports activities Corridor of Fame.

Following his illustrious school profession, the Denver Nuggets chosen Rogers with the No. 9 total choose within the 1993 NBA Draft.

In 866 video games in his 12-year NBA profession, Rogers averaged 10.9 factors per sport, 2.0 assists per sport and 4.5 rebounds per sport. He performed for the Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and the Philadelphia 76ers.

“The NBA household is deeply saddened by the passing of Rodney Rogers,” the NBA stated in an announcement on social media.

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Former Wake Forest Demon Deacons males’s basketball coach Dave Odom (proper) talks with former basketball participant Rodney Rodgers at BB&T Discipline. The dialog came about in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on September 19, 2009. (Brian A. Westerholt/Getty Photos)

“He can be remembered not just for his achievements on the sector, but additionally for the extraordinary resilience, braveness and generosity he confirmed all through his life, qualities which have impressed so many.”

Rogers’ unwavering perseverance and optimistic perspective regardless of being paralyzed led to Wake Forest naming him the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, one of many highest honors the varsity has to supply.

Rogers is survived by his spouse Faye and three youngsters: his daughter Roddreka, son Rodney Rodgers II, and daughter Rydeiah.

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