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USF Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, 43, Dies During Procedure; Led Turnarounds at Kennesaw State and USF

Oct 24, 2024, 10:44 PM

Amir Abdur-Rahim, the head men's basketball coach at the University of South Florida (USF), died on Thursday at the age of 43 due to complications during a medical procedure arising from an aggressive illness. Abdur-Rahim was regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in college basketball, known for his infectious personality and high moral standards. In his first season at USF, he guided the Bulls from an eighth-place preseason projection to a 25-8 record and secured the American Athletic Conference (AAC) regular-season championship, fulfilling his promise to deliver a conference title in his first year. Prior to joining USF, he revitalized the Kennesaw State program, transforming the team from a 1-28 record to an NCAA Tournament appearance in four years. Abdur-Rahim began his coaching career as an assistant at several programs, including Texas A&M from 2014 to 2018 and the University of Georgia, where he was instrumental in signing standout player Anthony Edwards. He was the younger brother of former NBA All-Star Shareef Abdur-Rahim. USF confirmed his passing in a statement, with Vice President for Athletics Michael Kelly expressing that "All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim. He was authentic, passionate, and dedicated to his family and his teams." Abdur-Rahim was known for his favorite quote: "People will forget what you said, what you did, but will never forget how you made them feel." He was also remembered for his generosity, such as starting a Starbucks tab to buy students' lattes on campus. He is survived by his wife, Arianne, two daughters, and a son.