Rodney Rogers, a standout college basketball player at Wake Forest University who went on to enjoy a successful 12-year career in the NBA, died Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. He was 54 years old.
Wake Forest University announced Rogers’ death on Saturday, Nov. 22. According to a statement from the National Basketball Players Association on behalf of his family, Rogers died from natural causes linked to a spinal cord injury he sustained in an ATV accident on Nov. 28, 2008. That incident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down, a condition he lived with for the past 17 years.
“The last 17 years have been both challenging and profoundly blessed,” the NBPA statement said. “Through every moment, Rodney remained a light — positive, motivated, and full of the quiet strength that inspired everyone around him.”
Rogers is survived by his wife Faye, daughters Roddreka and Rydiah, sons Rodney Rogers II and Devonte Rogers, his mother Estelle Spencer, and Eric Hipilito, whom Rogers embraced as a son.
Known by the nickname “Durham Bull” during his playing days, Rogers made an immediate impact at Wake Forest. He earned Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year honors in 1991 and helped lead the Demon Deacons to postseason success. By 1993, he had been named ACC Player of the Year and earned first-team All-American recognition. His number 54 jersey was reportedly retired by Wake Forest in February 1996, a testament to his lasting influence on the program.
Rogers’ college coach Dave Odom reflected on his former player’s character and resilience. “Every time we visited him, I walked away reminding myself never to complain — because he never did,” Odom said. “He faced life exactly as it came and made the very best of every moment.”
The Denver Nuggets selected Rogers with the ninth overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. The forward brought versatility to the professional ranks, qualities that would serve him well throughout his career. He started with Denver before moving to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he spent four seasons.
Rogers reached the pinnacle of his NBA career in 2000 with the Phoenix Suns. He averaged 13.8 points per game and won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, recognition given to the league’s best reserve player. The honor reflected his ability to provide instant offense and energy off the bench.
Throughout his professional career, Rogers played for 7 different franchises. Beyond Denver, the Clippers and Phoenix, he suited up for the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers. He reportedly retired from the NBA in 2005, having averaged 10.9 points per game over his career.
The 2008 accident fundamentally changed Rogers’ life, but it did not diminish his spirit or his commitment to helping others. Following the incident that left him paralyzed, he reportedly founded the Rodney Rogers Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting people with spinal cord injuries. The foundation promoted resilience and personal growth, helping others facing similar challenges navigate their new realities.
Rogers’ work through his foundation and his positive attitude in the face of adversity earned him widespread admiration. His courage and contributions to the community after his playing days ended continued to inspire those around him.
Randolph Childress, a former teammate at Wake Forest, spoke about Rogers’ strength. “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,” Childress said in a statement released by the university.
Rogers’ journey from Durham, North Carolina, to college stardom and then to professional success resonated with fans and fellow players alike. His ability to adapt to different roles throughout his NBA career demonstrated both his skill and his basketball intelligence. Whether starting or coming off the bench, Rogers found ways to contribute and help his teams succeed.
The basketball community has mourned the loss of a player who exemplified perseverance both on and off the court. Rogers faced his post-accident challenges with the same determination he brought to basketball, inspiring countless individuals dealing with spinal injuries through his foundation work and personal example.
His family requested privacy following his death while expressing gratitude for the support they received over the years from the Wake Forest and NBA communities. The statement emphasized how Rogers remained a source of light and inspiration to those around him, never allowing his circumstances to diminish his positive outlook or his impact on others.
