Amir Abdur-Rahim, the head coach of men’s basketball at the University of South Florida, passed away on Thursday during a medical procedure, according to an announcement from the university. He was 43 years old.
USF reported that Abdur-Rahim’s death resulted from complications during the procedure at a hospital in the Tampa area.
“All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” stated Michael Kelly, vice president for athletics. “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 recognized as the AAC Coach of the Year after an impressive first season at USF. He led the Bulls to a record-setting 25 wins in the 2023-24 season, securing the program’s first-ever regular-season conference championship. Additionally, USF achieved a ranking in the top 25 during the regular season for the first time in school history, reaching as high as No. 24.
“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 unmatched enthusiasm, achieved unprecedented success, and helped create unforgettable memories for Bulls Nation,” remarked USF president Rhea Law. “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.”
Abdur-Rahim joined USF after a remarkable revival at Kennesaw State, where the team had struggled significantly. In his first season in 2019-20, the program went 1-28, losing all its conference matches. However, the Owls improved to 5-19 and later to 13-18 before achieving a landmark 26-9 record in the 2022-23 season, making history with their first-ever ASUN titles and reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
Before his tenure at Kennesaw State, Abdur-Rahim served on coaching staffs at several institutions, including Georgia Tech, the College of Charleston, Texas A&M, Murray State, and Georgia. As a player, he was a three-time All-Southland Conference guard at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Abdur-Rahim is survived by his wife and their three children. He came from a large family with 12 siblings, including his brother Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who is the president of the G League and a former NBA player.