Rodney Rogers, former Wake Forest University and NBA star, died at 54. He was paralyzed from the shoulders down after a November 2008 dirt bike crash caused a spinal cord injury. Sadly, he eventually succumbed to natural causes attributed to that injury. Rogers’ effect on the game of basketball, from the college to pro ranks, is still being felt today.
Standing at 6-7, Rogers went by the charming moniker “Durham Bull” throughout his high school days. After three years of highly productive basketball at Wake Forest, he decided to test his chances at the NBA Draft. During that 1992-93 campaign, he averaged a career-best 21.2 points per game. That season would prove to be special, as it was the same year that Wake Forest’s men’s basketball team reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
The Charlotte Hornets chose Rogers with the ninth overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. At the end of his career, having netted close to 9,500 points in the league, White’s legacy was set. In 2000, he was named the Sixth Man of the Year. As a player, owner, and leader in the sport, his contributions to the game left an indelible mark on fans and teammates alike.
Wake Forest honored Rogers’ accomplishments by retiring his No. 54 jersey. In 2022, they recognized him with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The university went beyond the reach of his big-shot legacy on the court by granting him an honorary degree.
Dave Odom, Rogers’ former coach at Wake Forest, remembered him as a person with strong character, in addition to his athletic talent.
“It’s easy to focus on his extraordinary talent, but what stood out to everyone who knew him was that he was every bit as remarkable as a human being,” – Dave Odom
Odom shed more light on Rogers’ commitment to his teammates and passion for the game. He loved his teammates, he loved his family, he loved Wake Forest and he loved the game of basketball. He loved playing for Wake Forest.
Recounting the challenges Rogers faced post-accident, Odom had high praise for his inner spirit. Every time we would go to see him, I would leave telling myself I better not ever complain because he never did. He met life straight on, take it or leave it, and wrung the most out of every experience.
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) acknowledged Rogers’ journey, stating, “The last 17 years have been both challenging and profoundly blessed.”
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