Rodney Rogers, former Suns forward and NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award winner, dies at 54

Former Phoenix Suns forward Rodney Rogers has died at the age of 54, the NBA announced on Saturday.

Rogers played 12 seasons in the league from 1993-2005 and earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2000 while with Phoenix.

He was a member of the Suns from 1998 through the midpoint of the 2001-02 season, in which Rogers was traded to the Boston Celtics.

Just three years after stepping away from professional basketball, Rogers was left paralyzed from the shoulders down due to a serious ATV accident.

The Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer and lefty remains one of seven players in ACC history to be conference freshman of the year and player of the year in their collegiate careers. He played for the Demon Deacons from 1991-93 and graduated in 1994.

In 866 career NBA games, Rogers averaged 10.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Rogers, known as the “Durham Bull” as a native of Durham, North Carolina, was selected ninth overall in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets.

The NBA posted a statement on X about Roger’s life and impact:

The NBA family is deeply saddened by the passing of Rodney Rogers.  Rodney earned the Sixth Man of the Year Award while playing for the Phoenix Suns and was a beloved teammate during his 12-year NBA career.  He will be remembered not only for his achievements on the court but also for the extraordinary resilience, courage and generosity that he demonstrated throughout his life — qualities that inspired so many.  We send our heartfelt condolences to Rodney’s wife, Faye, and their family.

Fellow former Sun and current Suns analyst Eddie Johnson on X said, “Man! Words can’t describe how amazing Rodney was as a basketball player and person. RIP Bro!”

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