WASHINGTON — Former Wake Forest star and 12-year NBA player Rodney Rogers has died. He was 54.

Rogers — the No. 9 overall NBA draft pick in 1993 — had been paralyzed from the shoulders down since a dirt bike . Rogers died of natural causes linked to his spinal cord injury, according to a statement from the National Basketball Players Association on behalf of Rogers’ family.

He started his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets and went on to play with the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers.

His death rocked the basketball world, prompting responses from fans and former teams.

National Basketball Association

The burly 6-foot-7 forward with powerful athleticism earned the "Durham Bull" nickname during his prep c

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