Photo by: Robert Crawford
Rogers to be Honored as Distinguished Alum
4/29/2022 12:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Former Wake Forest men's basketball player Rodney Rogers will be honored as a Distinguished Alum at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala Friday night.
After establishing the award in 1959, each year the Wake Forest University Alumni Association presents awards to alumni whose achievements and recognition have reflected honor on their alma mater. There are several criteria for selection –
A native of Durham, N.C., Rogers was the 1991 ACC Rookie of the Year and 1993 ACC Player of the Year while starring for the Demon Deacons. He was a two-time first team All-ACC pick and the only unanimous selection as a junior in 1993 when he led the league in scoring (21.2 ppg).
During his three-year collegiate career, Rogers averaged 19.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He ranks 15th in program history in both scoring (1,720 points) and rebounding (705 rebounds) and third all-time in field goal percentage (57.9%).
Rogers led Wake Forest to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 berth in 1993.
Rogers left Wake Forest following his junior season and was the ninth overall pick by the Denver Nuggets in the 1993 NBA Draft. He went on to play 12 seasons and for seven different teams in the NBA before retiring in 2005. Rogers won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award with the Phoenix Suns in 2000, and he also played in the 2003 NBA Finals while a member of the New Jersey Nets.
Rogers was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in September 2004 and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in May 2014. His No. 54 jersey is one of 11 retired jerseys to hang from the rafters of the LJVM Coliseum.
A 2008 ATV accident left Rogers paralyzed from the neck down. His injury inspired him to create the Rodney Rogers Foundation, which helps others with spinal-cord injuries. Through philanthropic outreach from the Rodney Rogers Foundation, encouraging motivational speeches across the country and generous support of marginalized communities around Durham, Rogers is committed to lifting up those around him.
After establishing the award in 1959, each year the Wake Forest University Alumni Association presents awards to alumni whose achievements and recognition have reflected honor on their alma mater. There are several criteria for selection –
- Alum who embodies the values and core principles of the University.
- Alum who has demonstrated extraordinary service to the University, their field, humanity, or society.
A native of Durham, N.C., Rogers was the 1991 ACC Rookie of the Year and 1993 ACC Player of the Year while starring for the Demon Deacons. He was a two-time first team All-ACC pick and the only unanimous selection as a junior in 1993 when he led the league in scoring (21.2 ppg).
During his three-year collegiate career, Rogers averaged 19.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He ranks 15th in program history in both scoring (1,720 points) and rebounding (705 rebounds) and third all-time in field goal percentage (57.9%).
Rogers led Wake Forest to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 berth in 1993.
Rogers left Wake Forest following his junior season and was the ninth overall pick by the Denver Nuggets in the 1993 NBA Draft. He went on to play 12 seasons and for seven different teams in the NBA before retiring in 2005. Rogers won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award with the Phoenix Suns in 2000, and he also played in the 2003 NBA Finals while a member of the New Jersey Nets.
Rogers was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in September 2004 and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in May 2014. His No. 54 jersey is one of 11 retired jerseys to hang from the rafters of the LJVM Coliseum.
A 2008 ATV accident left Rogers paralyzed from the neck down. His injury inspired him to create the Rodney Rogers Foundation, which helps others with spinal-cord injuries. Through philanthropic outreach from the Rodney Rogers Foundation, encouraging motivational speeches across the country and generous support of marginalized communities around Durham, Rogers is committed to lifting up those around him.
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