Rodney Rogers, former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, passes away at 54

Rodney Rogers Passes Away at 54

Rodney Rogers, who had a successful NBA career spanning over a decade and won the Sixth Man of the Year award, passed away on Friday. He was just 54 years old.

Rogers had made a name for himself during his college days at Wake Forest, where he played for 12 years in the NBA afterward. John Currie, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Wake Forest University, remarked, “Rodney Rogers transformed and accelerated the upward trajectory of Wake Forest University and Demon Deacons basketball from the moment he signed his letter of intent in the fall of 1989.” He added that Rogers exhibited a remarkable combination of power and grace as an athlete, alongside a tremendous heart. His resilience following an accident became a source of inspiration for many, highlighting true humanitarianism. Currie extended condolences to Rogers’ family and loved ones.

Rogers began to shine at Winston-Salem in 1991, earning the ACC Freshman of the Year recognition and leading the Demon Deacons into the NCAA Tournament.

By 1993, he had secured the title of ACC Player of the Year and was named to the All-American First Team.

After leaving Wake Forest, he was picked by the Nuggets as the ninth overall choice in the 1993 NBA Draft.

Throughout his professional journey, he played for seven franchises, including the Nuggets, Clippers, Suns, Celtics, Nets, Hornets, and 76ers.

In the 1999-2000 season, Rogers participated in all 82 games for the Suns, averaging 13.8 points with an impressive shooting percentage. That year, he earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, marking one of the highlights of his career.

He spent two seasons with the Nets from 2002 to 2004, making it to the NBA Finals in 2003.

The Brooklyn Nets expressed their sorrow over his passing, stating, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Net and member of the 2003 Eastern Conference Championship team, Rodney Rogers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today.”

After retiring in 2008, Rogers faced a life-changing accident that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Despite this, he founded the Rodney Rogers Foundation to assist others dealing with spinal cord injuries.

“While his extraordinary talent is what many focused on, those closest to him remember him for being an incredible person,” said former Wake Forest head coach Dave Odom. “He had a deep love for his teammates, family, and the game. Visiting him was always a reminder of gratitude, as he faced his challenges with such strength and positivity. He was a joy on the basketball court, but an even greater person off it.”