Former NBA Star Rodney Rogers Lifeless at 54

Rodney Rogers — a basketball star who shined in school and went on to have a productive NBA profession — has died … his alma mater, Wake Forest College introduced.

WFU’s athletic division launched a press release from Rodney’s spouse, Faye, Saturday morning … stating Rogers handed away peacefully Friday surrounded by family members.

Faye mentions Rodney rising above adversity — he was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a 2008 ATV accident — maintaining upbeat and joyful regardless of all his challenges. Faye didn’t reveal a reason behind loss of life.

Rogers rose to prominence throughout his tenure at Wake Forest … making a right away influence because the Atlantic Coast Convention’s Rookie of the Yr through the 1990-1991 season — an award he gained over future Basketball Corridor of Famer Grant Hill.

Within the 1992-1993 season, Rogers averaged greater than 21 factors and seven rebounds once more on his strategy to profitable the ACC’s Participant of the Yr Award … which led to the Denver Nuggets drafting him with the ninth general decide.

Rogers spent the subsequent 12 seasons bouncing across the NBA … enjoying for the Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, and the Philadelphia 76ers. Rogers gained Sixth Man of the Yr honors with the 1999-2000 Suns and retired in 2005.

As we talked about … in 2008, Rogers was concerned in an ATV crash close to Raleigh, North Carolina. He drove right into a ditch and flipped over the handlebars. He was rushed to an area hospital, then flown to a therapy middle in Atlanta, which makes a speciality of spinal and mind accidents.

Rogers by no means walked once more, but it surely did not cease him from making an influence on his group. He helped discovered the Rodney Rogers Basis via which he inspired others dwelling with spinal accidents … and lots of of his family and friends are remembering him as a constructive affect on many lives.

Rodney’s survived by his spouse Faye — whom he married in 2010 — his daughters Roddreka and Rydiah, his sons Rodney II and Devonte Rogers, Eric Hipilito … who Faye says he “embraced as a son” … and his mom, Estelle.

Rodney was 54.