Wake Forest Athletics is mourning the death of Demon Deacons legend, Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame member, and 2022 Wake Forest Distinguished Alumni Award honoree Rodney Rogers, who passed away on Friday. The Durham native leaves behind a towering legacy as one of the most transformative players in program history. He is survived by his wife, Faye; and his children, daughter Roddreka, currently an assistant coach with Georgia State women’s basketball and a former Georgia Tech standout (2013–16); son Rodney Rogers II; and daughter Rydeiah, who played basketball at NC State from 2015–19.Known as the “Durham Bull” during his prep career, Rogers brought that same power and relentlessness to Triad. He became the catalyst for elevating Wake Forest men’s basketball into one of the nation’s premier programs throughout the 1990s.As a freshman, Rogers earned the ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 1991 while leading the Demon Deacons to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1984. He followed with a First Team All-ACC selection in 1992, and in 1993 — after guiding Wake Forest to the NCAA Sweet 16, he was named ACC Player of the Year and a First Team All-American. He remains one of only seven players in ACC history, and the only Demon Deacon, to earn both ACC Freshman of the Year and ACC Player of the Year honors.After his junior season, Rogers declared for the NBA Draft, but the foundation he helped build powered the program’s rise. Rogers was selected ninth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1993 NBA Draft. Over a distinguished 12-year NBA career, Rogers averaged 11 points per game, earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors, and became widely respected before retiring in 2005.In 2008, a life-altering accident left Rogers paralyzed from the shoulders down, yet he remained a powerful and inspirational presence. He established the Rodney Rogers Foundation, where he encouraged people living with spinal cord injuries and used his platform to promote resilience and personal growth. His story of courage continued to inspire the Wake Forest community and countless others across the country.In recognition of his impact, Rogers received one of Wake Forest University’s highest honors as a 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. With that, President Susan R. Wente awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at that event.Rogers’ No. 54 jersey hangs in the rafters of Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Several officials from Wake Forest Athletics released the following statements on Rodney Rogers:Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie (1993):”Rodney Rogers transformed and accelerated the upward trajectory of Wake Forest University as well as Demon Deacons basketball from the moment he signed his letter of intent in the fall of 1989. His generational combination of power and grace as a player was exceeded only by the size of his heart. His perseverance and spirit following his accident inspired thousands and embodied the true meaning of Pro Humanitate. Rodney showed us what strength looks like in every chapter of life. Our hearts are with Faye, Roddreka, Rodney II, Rydeiah and the entire Rogers family.”Head Coach Steve Forbes:”Rodney Rogers made a tremendous impact on Demon Deacon basketball. I remember watching him play in college and in the NBA and always had an immense respect for him. Since I came to Wake Forest, I have heard so many stories about Rodney and his family. The impact he had in this community and the basketball world went way beyond his on-court accomplishments. Everyone associated with our program is saddened by his passing and our thoughts are with his family.” Former Head Coach Dave Odom:”Rodney is truly one of the greatest athletes to ever play in the Atlantic Coast Conference — without reservation. You can place him alongside the very best our league has ever seen. 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. 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. Every time we visited him, I walked away reminding myself never to complain — because he never did. He faced life exactly as it came and made the very best of every moment. He was a joy to watch as a basketball player, but he was an even greater man. He shared his strength, his spirit and his life with everyone around him.”

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —

Wake Forest Athletics is mourning the death of Demon Deacons legend, Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame member, and 2022 Wake Forest Distinguished Alumni Award honoree Rodney Rogers, who passed away on Friday.

The Durham native leaves behind a towering legacy as one of the most transformative players in program history. He is survived by his wife, Faye; and his children, daughter Roddreka, currently an assistant coach with Georgia State women’s basketball and a former Georgia Tech standout (2013–16); son Rodney Rogers II; and daughter Rydeiah, who played basketball at NC State from 2015–19.

Known as the “Durham Bull” during his prep career, Rogers brought that same power and relentlessness to Triad. He became the catalyst for elevating Wake Forest men’s basketball into one of the nation’s premier programs throughout the 1990s.

As a freshman, Rogers earned the ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 1991 while leading the Demon Deacons to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1984. He followed with a First Team All-ACC selection in 1992, and in 1993 — after guiding Wake Forest to the NCAA Sweet 16, he was named ACC Player of the Year and a First Team All-American. He remains one of only seven players in ACC history, and the only Demon Deacon, to earn both ACC Freshman of the Year and ACC Player of the Year honors.

After his junior season, Rogers declared for the NBA Draft, but the foundation he helped build powered the program’s rise. Rogers was selected ninth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1993 NBA Draft. Over a distinguished 12-year NBA career, Rogers averaged 11 points per game, earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors, and became widely respected before retiring in 2005.

In 2008, a life-altering accident left Rogers paralyzed from the shoulders down, yet he remained a powerful and inspirational presence. He established the Rodney Rogers Foundation, where he encouraged people living with spinal cord injuries and used his platform to promote resilience and personal growth. His story of courage continued to inspire the Wake Forest community and countless others across the country.

In recognition of his impact, Rogers received one of Wake Forest University’s highest honors as a 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. With that, President Susan R. Wente awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at that event.

Rogers’ No. 54 jersey hangs in the rafters of Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Several officials from Wake Forest Athletics released the following statements on Rodney Rogers:

Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie (1993):

“Rodney Rogers transformed and accelerated the upward trajectory of Wake Forest University as well as Demon Deacons basketball from the moment he signed his letter of intent in the fall of 1989. His generational combination of power and grace as a player was exceeded only by the size of his heart. His perseverance and spirit following his accident inspired thousands and embodied the true meaning of Pro Humanitate. Rodney showed us what strength looks like in every chapter of life. Our hearts are with Faye, Roddreka, Rodney II, Rydeiah and the entire Rogers family.”

Head Coach Steve Forbes:

“Rodney Rogers made a tremendous impact on Demon Deacon basketball. I remember watching him play in college and in the NBA and always had an immense respect for him. Since I came to Wake Forest, I have heard so many stories about Rodney and his family. The impact he had in this community and the basketball world went way beyond his on-court accomplishments. Everyone associated with our program is saddened by his passing and our thoughts are with his family.”

Former Head Coach Dave Odom:

“Rodney is truly one of the greatest athletes to ever play in the Atlantic Coast Conference — without reservation. You can place him alongside the very best our league has ever seen. 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. 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. Every time we visited him, I walked away reminding myself never to complain — because he never did. He faced life exactly as it came and made the very best of every moment. He was a joy to watch as a basketball player, but he was an even greater man. He shared his strength, his spirit and his life with everyone around him.”