Former Wake Forest star and 2000 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Rodney Rogers died on Friday. He was 54.

Rogers died from natural causes related to the spinal cord injury he sustained following an ATV accident on Nov. 28, 2008, per a statement from the National Basketball Players Association.

"The last 17 years have been both challenging and profoundly blessed," a statement read on behalf of his wife, Faye, and family. "Through every moment, Rodney remained a light -- positive, motivated, and full of the quiet strength that inspired everyone around him."

Rogers had his No. 54 jersey retired by the school in 1996, three years after he finished playing for the Demon Deacons. The forward earned Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year honors in 1993.

"Rodney is truly one of the greatest at

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