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32m ago

Rodney Rogers, Wake Forest Star and NBA Sixth Man, Dies at 54

His wife said he died of natural causes linked to complications from the 2008 spinal cord injury.

rodney rodgers
PHILADELPHIA, : The Boston Celtics' Rodney Rogers (L) blocks the path of the Philadelphia 76ers' Derrick Coleman (R) in the 1st period of game 3 in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs 28 April 2002 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, PA. AFP PHOTO/TOM MIHALEK (Photo credit should read TOM MIHALEK/AFP via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Wake Forest and Rogers' family confirmed he died Friday at age 54.
  • Faye Rogers attributed the death to natural causes related to his long-term spinal cord injury from a 2008 ATV crash, following initial notices that did not specify a cause.
  • Rogers played 12 NBA seasons for seven teams and earned the 1999–2000 Sixth Man of the Year award with the Phoenix Suns.
  • At Wake Forest he was ACC Freshman of the Year in 1991, ACC Player of the Year in 1993, and the school retired his No. 54 jersey.
  • After being paralyzed in 2008 he launched the Rodney Rogers Foundation to support spinal-injury survivors, and tributes from Wake Forest, the NBA and former teams praised his impact and resilience.