The famed NBA Sixth Man spent the rest of his life advocating for those with spinal cord injuries following his own paralysis.
A famed NBA sixth man and advocate for paralysis victims, Rodney Rogers, has died at age 54.
Prior to his role on teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns, he stormed onto the Wake Forest Basketball squad. Getting them into the NCAA tournament, he earned the ACC Freshman of Year, ACC Player of the Year, and First Team All-American during his three-year stint at the North Carolina institution.
However, he remains an instrumental figure in Wake Forest basketball history. The school honored his legacy upon the news of his passing. The Division 1 program also retired his jersey number of #54.
— Wake Forest University (@WakeForest) November 22, 2025
“Rodney Rogers transformed and accelerated the upward trajectory of Wake Forest University as well as Demon Deacons basketball from the moment he signed,” Wake Forest’s athletic director John Currie said in a statement. “His power, his grace, and even more so, his heart, changed this university forever. His perseverance after his accident inspired thousands. Rodney showed us what real strength looks like.”
Considered a hero in his community and college hoops, Rogers remains a pivotal figure for his athletic achievement and subsequent years helping others remain strong through their spinal cord injuries.
“It’s easy to talk about his talent — and it was extraordinary — but what made Rodney unforgettable was how deeply he loved: his teammates, his family, Wake Forest, the game,” said Former Wake Forest head coach, Dave Odom. “He never complained. He faced life as it came and made the most of every moment. Watching him play was a joy, but knowing him was the real privilege.”
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Source: Black Enterprise
