USF’s Basketball Community Mourns the Loss of Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

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Amir Abdur-Rahim, the head men’s basketball coach of the University of South Florida, passed away on Thursday due to complications during a medical procedure. He was 43 years old.

The university confirmed his death, stating that it occurred at a hospital in the Tampa Bay area. Michael Kelly, the vice president for athletics, expressed the collective grief within the South Florida Athletics community, highlighting Abdur-Rahim’s genuine personality and the significant impact he had on players, the university, and the surrounding community. He assured that support would be provided to those affected by this loss, including Abdur-Rahim’s family and team.

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Abdur-Rahim was named the AAC Coach of the Year after an impressive first season with USF. Under his leadership, the Bulls achieved a program-record 25 wins in the 2023-24 season and secured their first regular-season conference championship. The team also made history by entering the top 25 national rankings, reaching as high as No. 24.

USF president Rhea Law praised Abdur-Rahim for his enthusiasm and the lasting memories he created for both the team and its supporters. She noted his ability to inspire and connect with students and remarked on the enduring influence he had on the university community.

Prior to his tenure at USF, Abdur-Rahim successfully turned around the Kennesaw State program, which endured a challenging start with a 1-28 record in his inaugural season. Following that, the Owls steadily improved, culminating in a remarkable 26-9 record in the 2022-23 season, where they not only won their first regular-season and ASUN tournament titles but also participated in the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

Abdur-Rahim’s coaching experience included positions at Georgia Tech, the College of Charleston, Texas A&M, Murray State, and Georgia. A former player, he was a three-time All-Southland Conference guard at Southeastern Louisiana University. He is survived by his wife and three children, as well as his siblings, including Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the G League president and former NBA player.

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