Rodney Rogers dies at 54: NBA Legend, known as the ‘Durham Bull’, passes away; check his career records

Rodney Rogers, a former NBA legend and Wake Forest University graduate, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the age of 54, WF said in a statement. Rogers was a native of Durham, according to the statement. He is survived by his wife, Faye, and his children: daughter Roddreka, currently an assistant coach for 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 to 2019.

Known as the “Durham Bull” throughout his prep career, Rogers brought the same power and relentlessness to Winston-Salem, according to the release. He was the catalyst that transformed Wake Forest men’s basketball into one of the nation’s premier programs throughout the 1990s.

Rodney Rogers: Career records and awards

The Durham native played at Wake Forest from 1990-93, according to WRAL News. Rogers attended Hillside High School in Durham. He was North Carolina’s Mr. Basketball and McDonald’s All-American in 1990. Mr. Basketball is awarded to the best player in the state.

Rogers made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 1991 while leading the Demon Deacons to their first NCAA Tournament since 1984. He followed that 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 First Team All-American.
Rogers had a 12-year NBA career, playing for the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers, WRAL News reported. He received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2000.
Rogers scored 9,468 points, 3,881 rebounds and 1,722 assists in his NBA career. The Nuggets selected Rogers with the ninth overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, Wake Forest’s highest draft position. 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.
Rogers declared for the NBA Draft after his junior season, but the foundation he helped build fueled the program’s rise. Wake Forest made seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 1991-97; these included the ACC Championship run and the Tim Duncan era led by Coach Dave Odom immediately after Rogers’ departure.

Rogers was selected ninth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1993 NBA Draft; this was the program’s highest draft position since Len Chappell went fourth overall in 1962. During his distinguished 12-year NBA career, Rogers averaged 11 points per game, won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, and was widely respected for his toughness, versatility, and professionalism before retiring in 2005.

Rodney Rogers: The accident that changed his life

In 2008, a life-changing accident left Rogers paralyzed from the shoulders down, but she remained a strong and inspiring presence. The Rodney Rogers Foundation has encouraged individuals living with spinal cord injuries and used its platform to promote resilience and personal growth. His story of courage continued to inspire the Wake Forest community and countless others across the country.

Rogers received one of Wake Forest University’s highest honors as the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. However, President Susan R. Wente awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at that event.