New Delhi, Nov. 23 -- Rodney Rogers, the electrifying forward who powered Wake Forest basketball to new heights in the 1990s, passed away at the age of 54. His death was due to natural causes related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in a 2008 accident. Rogers leaves behind an unmatched legacy of athletic brilliance, personal courage, and selfless service.

Arriving from Durham, North Carolina, in 1990, Rogers wasted no time making history. As a freshman, he earned ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 1991 and led Wake Forest to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1984. He followed that with First Team All-ACC recognition in 1992 and, in 1993, capped his college career by winning ACC Player of the Year and First Team All-American...