Rodney Rogers, the former Wake Forest basketball star and NBA Sixth Man of the Year, died on November 21, 2025, at the age of 54. His death was announced by Wake Forest Athletics and the National Basketball Players Association, with his family stating that he died from natural causes related to a spinal cord injury suffered years earlier.
This article covers what is confirmed about Rodney Rogers’ death, his NBA career, his family, his Wake Forest years, his 2008 injury, and the work he continued afterward. It also clarifies an important point for people searching his name: there are multiple people named Rodney Rogers with separate obituary records.
Background: Who Was Rodney Rogers?
Rodney Ray Rogers Jr. was an American professional basketball player who became one of Wake Forest’s most recognizable basketball figures. Born on June 20, 1971, in Durham, North Carolina, he played college basketball at Wake Forest before entering the NBA Draft in 1993.
The Denver Nuggets selected Rogers with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 1993 NBA Draft. He eventually played 12 seasons in the NBA for seven franchises, including the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers.
Rogers became particularly well known for his 1999-2000 season with the Phoenix Suns, when he won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. NBA records list him as the winner of the award for that season.
Name clarification: Rodney Rogers is a common name, and multiple people with that name have obituary records. This article concerns Rodney Ray Rogers Jr., the former Wake Forest and NBA player who died on November 21, 2025, at age 54.
Latest Update
Wake Forest Athletics announced Rogers’ death on November 22, 2025, saying he had passed away the previous day. The National Basketball Players Association subsequently released a statement on behalf of his family identifying natural causes related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in a 2008 dirt-bike accident.
Rogers’ death remains relevant to searches because of his place in Wake Forest basketball history, his NBA career, his 2000 Sixth Man of the Year award and the years he spent advocating for people living with spinal cord injuries after his own accident.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
Rodney Rogers was born June 20, 1971, in Durham, North Carolina. He attended Hillside High School in Durham before continuing his basketball career at Wake Forest.
At Wake Forest, Rogers quickly became an important player. He earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 1991 and was named ACC Player of the Year in 1993 before entering the NBA Draft as a junior.
Career Path
Rogers entered the NBA in 1993 after Denver selected him ninth overall. He played with seven NBA franchises during a career that lasted 12 seasons and finished with nearly 9,500 points.
His teams included the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers. His most prominent individual NBA honor came in 2000, when he was named Sixth Man of the Year while playing for Phoenix.
NBA records list Rogers with career averages of 10.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
Age
Rodney Rogers was 54 when he died. He was born June 20, 1971, and died November 21, 2025.
Religion
Rogers’ publicly documented obituary and institutional tributes do not establish a specific religious denomination. Some tributes use spiritual language, but that is not enough to identify a formal religious affiliation, so no specific denomination is listed here.
Spouse or Partner
Rodney Rogers was survived by his wife, Faye Rogers. His family statement also named his children Roddreka, Rydiah, Rodney II and Devonte, along with Eric Hipolito, whom Rogers had embraced as a son.
Net Worth
No reliable source reviewed for this article provides a verified figure for Rodney Rogers’ net worth at the time of his death. Although he had a long NBA career, salary information alone would not establish his personal net worth.
For that reason, no estimated net-worth number is presented as fact.
Parents
Rogers’ mother was Estelle Spencer, who survived him. His family statement released through the NBPA identified her among his survivors.
Public sources also contain historical references to his biological father, but the family statement issued after his death identifies Estelle Spencer as his surviving mother. This article does not add family details that were not necessary to establish his obituary record.
Height
Rodney Rogers was listed at 6 feet 7 inches tall. NBA and basketball records identify him as a forward who combined size with perimeter shooting and physical play.
Education
Rogers attended Hillside High School in Durham and then Wake Forest University. He played three seasons for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons before entering the NBA Draft in 1993.
Wake Forest later honored Rogers with its Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022 and awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. His No. 54 jersey was also retired by the university.
Hometown and State of Origin
Rodney Rogers was born in Durham, North Carolina, and attended Hillside High School there. Durham remained closely connected to his basketball identity, including the nickname “Durham Bull” associated with his high school career.
Official Social Media
No verified personal social-media account belonging to Rodney Rogers can be presented as an active official account following his death. The most reliable current information about his career and legacy is available through institutional sources such as Wake Forest Athletics and the NBA.
Wake Forest Athletics tribute and official memorial information
Quick Table
| Profile Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rodney Ray Rogers Jr. |
| Born | June 20, 1971 |
| Died | November 21, 2025 |
| Age at Death | 54 |
| Birthplace | Durham, North Carolina |
| Height | 6 feet 7 inches |
| Position | Forward |
| College | Wake Forest University |
| NBA Draft | 1993, ninth overall, Denver Nuggets |
| NBA Career | 1993–2005 |
| NBA Teams | Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers |
| Major NBA Award | Sixth Man of the Year, 2000 |
| Spouse | Faye Rogers |
| Children | Roddreka, Rydiah, Rodney II and Devonte; Eric Hipolito was also embraced as a son |
Reader Questions (FAQ)
When did Rodney Rogers die?
Rodney Rogers died on November 21, 2025. He was 54 years old at the time of his death.
What was Rodney Rogers’ cause of death?
Rogers died from natural causes related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in a 2008 dirt-bike accident, according to a statement released by the NBPA on behalf of his family.
How old was Rodney Rogers when he died?
Rodney Rogers was 54 years old when he died. His birth date was June 20, 1971.
Who was Rodney Rogers’ wife?
Rodney Rogers was married to Faye Rogers. She was identified as his wife in the family statement released after his death.
Did Rodney Rogers play in the NBA?
Yes. Rogers played 12 seasons in the NBA after being selected ninth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1993 draft. He played for seven NBA franchises during his career.
Did Rodney Rogers win Sixth Man of the Year?
Yes. Rogers won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2000 while playing for the Phoenix Suns. NBA records list him as the award’s winner for the 1999-2000 season.
What happened to Rodney Rogers after his NBA career?
After retiring from professional basketball in 2005, Rogers suffered a dirt-bike accident in November 2008 that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He later established the Rodney Rogers Foundation and became involved in supporting people living with spinal cord injuries.
Where was Rodney Rogers born?
Rodney Rogers was born in Durham, North Carolina, on June 20, 1971. He also attended Hillside High School in Durham before playing at Wake Forest.
Who were Rodney Rogers’ children?
His family statement identified daughters Roddreka and Rydiah and sons Rodney II and Devonte. It also identified Eric Hipolito, whom Rogers had embraced as a son.
Wrap-Up
Rodney Rogers’ obituary marks the death of a former NBA player whose career included a major individual league award and a long connection to Wake Forest basketball. He won Sixth Man of the Year in 2000 and played for seven NBA teams during a 12-year career.
His later years were shaped by the spinal cord injury he suffered in a 2008 dirt-bike accident. Rather than ending his connection with basketball and community service, the injury became part of the work he did to support others with spinal cord injuries.
Rogers died on November 21, 2025, surrounded by family, according to the statement released by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife, children and mother, while Wake Forest and the NBA continue to preserve the record of his basketball career and contributions.
Disclaimer
This article is based on public statements from Wake Forest Athletics, the NBA, the National Basketball Players Association and published obituary reporting reviewed on September 26, 2026. Because several people named Rodney Rogers have separate obituary records, care has been taken to distinguish Rodney Ray Rogers Jr., the former NBA player, from other individuals with the same name. Unverified personal, financial or family details have not been presented as fact.
