Rodgers, the former best sixth man, passed away! He was only 54 years old and was a teammate of Iverson and Kidd

On November 23, 54-year-old Rodney Rogers passed away on Friday local time. The ninth overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft has been paralyzed from the shoulders down since a motocross accident in November 2008. According to a statement released by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) on behalf of Rodgers' family, the cause of death was natural causes related to a spinal cord injury.

NBPA said in a statement: "The past 17 years have been full of challenges, but also full of gifts. In every moment, Rodney is like a beam of light - positive and optimistic, high-spirited, and infectious with quiet and determined strength. It touches everyone around him."

Rogers was elected the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Year in 1991 and won the league's Player of the Year award in 1993. His No. 54 jersey in college has been retired by Wake Forest University. The 2.01-meter-tall forward has outstanding athletic ability and earned the nickname "Durham Bull" in high school. During his NBA career, he scored nearly 9,500 points and was elected the league's Sixth Man of the Year in 2000.

After the injury, Rogers founded a foundation named after himself, which is dedicated to encouraging patients with spinal cord injuries and advocating perseverance and personal growth in difficult situations. In 2022, Wake Forest University awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Award and an honorary degree in recognition of his achievements.

"Rodney is the strongest person I have ever met, physically and mentally - his resilience shows in every day's struggle," Childress, the legendary Wake Forest star and Rogers' former teammate, said in a statement released by the school. "I've said it before and I still believe it today: He was the most gifted athlete in Wake Forest history. He meant so much to so many people. Extraordinary, I feel so lucky to be with him yesterday."

Rogers played for Wake Forest University for three seasons, averaging 21.2 points per game in the 1992-93 season, leading the team to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, and then entered the NBA draft as a junior. His NBA career began with the Denver Nuggets, and has since played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) and Philadelphia 76ers. He has been teammates with many stars, including Kidd, Iverson, Iguodala and others.

"It's easy to focus on his extraordinary athletic talent, but everyone who knows him knows that his charisma is equally impressive," said Dave Odom, Rogers' coach at Wake Forest. "He loves his teammates, his family, Wake Forest, and even more, the sport of basketball. He enjoys his time playing for Wake Forest."

"Every time I visit him, I tell myself never to complain—because Because he never complained. He faced everything in life calmly and cherished every moment. As a player, his game was enjoyable to watch; but as a person, he shared his strength, spirit and life with everyone around him."

According to the NBPA statement, Rogers is survived by his wife Faye, daughters Rodreca and Lydia, sons Rodney Jr. and Devonte, and his mother Estelle Spencer, who he regarded as his own.