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Rodney Rogers -- a basketball star who shined in college and went on to have a productive NBA career -- has died ... his alma mater, Wake Forest University announced.

WFU's athletic department released a statement from Rodney's wife, Faye , Saturday morning ... stating Rogers passed away peacefully Friday surrounded by loved ones. Getty

Faye mentions Rodney rising above adversity -- he was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a 2008 ATV accident -- keeping upbeat and joyful despite all his challenges. Faye did not reveal a cause of death.

Rogers rose to prominence during his tenure at Wake Forest ... making an immediate impact as the Atlantic Coast Conference's Rookie of the Year during the 1990-1991 season -- an award he won over future Basketbal

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