Tragic Loss: USF Basketball Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim Dies at 43

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Amir Abdur-Rahim, the head men’s basketball coach at the University of South Florida, passed away on Thursday during a medical procedure, as confirmed by the university. He was 43 years old.

USF reported that Abdur-Rahim died from complications during the procedure at a Tampa-area hospital.

Michael Kelly, vice president for athletics at USF, expressed grief on behalf of the athletics community, 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 closest to him, including his family, team, and athletics staff, to ensure they have the resources they need to deal with this tremendous loss.”

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Abdur-Rahim was named the AAC Coach of the Year after an impressive inaugural season at USF, where he led the Bulls to a record 25 wins in the 2023-24 season, marking the program’s first regular-season conference championship. Under his leadership, USF also made it into the top 25 rankings for the first time ever, reaching as high as No. 24.

USF president Rhea Law praised Abdur-Rahim’s contributions, stating, “In a very short time, Coach Abdur-Rahim made an indelible impact on the University of South Florida. In his first season as our head coach, he brought an unmatched enthusiasm, achieved unprecedented success, and helped generate unforgettable memories for Bulls Nation. Throughout my time working with Coach Abdur-Rahim, I was continually inspired by his leadership and truly admired his sincere approach to connecting with our entire student body. His influence on our student-athletes, coaching staff, and the university community will live on forever.”

Before his tenure at USF, Abdur-Rahim oversaw a remarkable turnaround at Kennesaw State. After a challenging first season in which the team finished 1-28, he led the Owls to significant improvements, culminating in a historic 2022-23 season where they finished 26-9, winning both the regular-season and conference tournaments for their first ASUN titles and reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

Prior to becoming a head coach, Abdur-Rahim held positions on coaching staffs at notable institutions like Georgia Tech, the College of Charleston, Texas A&M, Murray State, and Georgia. He also achieved recognition as a three-time All-Southland Conference guard while playing at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Abdur-Rahim is survived by his wife and their three children. He came from a large family, having 12 siblings, including Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the president of the G League and a former NBA player.

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