On Friday, January 9, Chief Sealth International High School became the site of a moving tribute as city leaders, family, and the local community gathered to honor the life and legacy of Regina Ann Rogers-Wright. During the ceremony, District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka and Council President Joy Hollingsworth officially proclaimed the day as "Regina Rogers-Wright Day" in the city of Seattle.

The ceremony honored Rogers-Wright, a 2007 graduate of Chief Sealth and a towering figure in Washington basketball history, who passed away in November 2024 at the age of 35.

A Legacy of Excellence

Councilmember Saka, emphasized the weight of Rogers-Wright’s impact on the school and the sport. Addressing the current varsity and junior varsity teams, Saka noted that her influence remains a guiding force for young athletes.

"We talked a lot about her great life. And importantly, we talked about the legacy of excellence, the legacy of athleticism, and the legacy of eliteness that Regina left behind," Saka stated during the presentation. He added, "Whether you realize it or not, you are standing on the shoulders of giants like Regina".

The proclamation noted that Rogers-Wright was not only an elite athlete but a "compassionate, joyful, and generous spirit" whose warmth left a lasting mark on the community and her family, including her young son, Aries.

A Standout Star on the Court

Rogers-Wright was described as a dominant 6'3" center who helped establish Chief Sealth as a "state powerhouse". Her high school accolades were extensive, including:

• Leading Chief Sealth to back-to-back 3A state championships in 2005 and 2006.

• Being named the Seattle Times 3A girls basketball player of the year in 2006.

• Earning MVP honors of the 2005 state tournament.

• Having her number 34 jersey retired by Chief Sealth in 2020.

Her brother, Reginald "Reggie" Rogers Jr., who is now the head coach of the Mount Tahoma girls basketball team, spoke of her transition from a "Skyway legend" to a "top 50 Husky". He noted her four-time All-Metro honors and her status as a first-team All-State selection.

Rogers-Wright’s collegiate career was equally impressive. After a freshman year at UCLA, she transferred to the University of Washington, where she became a force in the Pac-12. In her senior season (2011–12), she averaged 16.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, earning First-Team All-Pac-12 honors. She was recognized as one of the most efficient post scorers in UW history, finishing her college career with a 53.3% field-goal percentage.

She stood out because of her physical dominance, using her size and strength to become a powerful interior scorer with a surprisingly soft touch.

Reflections from Family

The ceremony was a homecoming for the Rogers family, who have deep athletic roots in Seattle; Regina’s father, the late Reggie Rogers, was a first-round NFL draft pick and a standout for the Huskies.

Her twin brother, Reggie, shared how meaningful it was to return to the gym where they spent their formative years.

"Gina and I spent four incredible years here... this place gave us more than basketball," Reggie said. "Tonight is not only a night of remembrance, but a night of celebration".

Her mother, Sheila Winston, expressed deep gratitude for the community support, describing the ceremony as "amazing". She recalled that while Regina didn't start playing until the seventh grade, she was a "natural" who quickly became inseparable from the game.

"She lived basketball," Winston shared. "She wore basketball shorts up under her jeans and everywhere she went... she carried a basketball." Winston added that if Regina were present, "she would be so happy. She would be dancing around here".

As the ceremony concluded, Reggie Rogers Jr. offered a final thought on the future of the sport his sister loved: "As we honor Regina, let us remember to support and invest in women's sports because stories like hers and the next generation coming up deserve to be seen and celebrated.