Amir Abdur-Rahim, a promising young coach in college basketball at South Florida, passed away on Thursday at the age of 43, as confirmed by the university. He died from complications during a medical procedure at a hospital in the Tampa area.
Michael Kelly, the USF athletic director, expressed deep sorrow, stating, “All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim. He was authentic, driven, and his infectious personality captivated all of Bulls Nation. Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves a lasting impact on our student-athletes, the University, and the community. We are supporting those close to him, including his family and team, to ensure they have the resources they need to cope with this tremendous loss.”
Last season, Abdur-Rahim led the South Florida men’s basketball team to a remarkable turnaround, achieving a program-record 25 wins and securing the first American Athletic Conference regular-season title in the school’s history. Before he took over in 2023, South Florida had never finished at .500 in the conference and had only had one season above .500 overall since 2012. He was honored as the AAC Coach of the Year and guided the Bulls to their first-ever appearance in the men’s AP Top 25.
At his introductory news conference in March 2023, Abdur-Rahim made a memorable comment about cutting down the nets, reflecting his ambitious vision for the team.
Before joining South Florida, he spent four seasons at Kennesaw State, where he led the Owls to an NCAA tournament appearance. His coaching journey began with a significant rebuild, transforming a one-win season into a 26-win campaign. He received accolades such as the Hugh Durham Award for the best mid-major coach and was named the ASUN Coach of the Year.
Abdur-Rahim, who is the younger brother of former NBA player Shareef Abdur-Rahim, served as an assistant coach at several universities, including Georgia and Texas A&M. He played a key role in recruiting high-profile talent, such as NBA No. 1 draft pick Anthony Edwards during his time at Georgia.
Throughout his coaching career, Abdur-Rahim emphasized the importance of relationships in recruiting, noting the connections he built over years were fundamental to his successes.
A standout player himself, he excelled at Southeastern Louisiana under coach Billy Kennedy, finishing as a three-time All-Southland selection.
USF President Rhea Law remarked on Abdur-Rahim’s impact on the university, highlighting his enthusiasm, success, and ability to create lasting memories for the Bulls community. The American Athletic Conference released a statement mourning his loss, recognizing his accomplishments in a short coaching career and his commitment to education through athletics. NCAA senior vice president Dan Gavitt called his passing “heartbreaking.”
Abdur-Rahim is survived by his wife Arianne and their three children: daughters Laila and Lana, and son Aydin.