According to the school’s statement, Amir Abdur-Rahim, the men’s basketball coach at the University of South Florida, passed away at the age of 43.
Abdur-Rahim, who was set to start his second season as coach of the USF Bulls, passed away on Thursday, October 24, while undergoing a medical procedure at a hospital in the Tampa area. The surgery proved complicated. He had been afflicted with an unidentified disease, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
In his debut season, Abdur-Rahim was regarded as a rising star in the collegiate coaching sports world, leading the team to its first regular-season conference triumph last winter. Under his direction, USF’s men’s basketball team achieved their first-ever Top 25 ranking during the season, peaking at No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and the Associated Press.
In the university statement, USF athletic director Michael Kelly said, “All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim.” “He was genuine, motivated, and enthralled Bulls Nation with his contagious charisma. Coach Abdur-Rahim has a profound effect on the community, the university, and our student-athletes.
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We are supporting those closest to him, including his family, and team, and We are making sure his family, team, and athletics staff have the tools they need to cope with this devastating loss.”
The USF Men’s Basketball X account posted on social media, saying, “We are heartbroken over the passing of Coach Abdur-Rahim.” “A dazzling light to everyone he came into contact with, he was an amazing man and leader with an infectious personality. Our prayers and condolences are with his family, friends, and everyone he had a profound influence on.
Coach Amir Abdur Rahim of the University of South Florida basketball team died at the age of 43, 248.
In a statement, USF President Rhea Law also paid respect, saying, “Coach Abdur-Rahim left an enduring impression on the University of South Florida in a very short period. During his first season as our head coach, he created moments that Bulls Nation will never forget, accomplished incredible success, and brought an unrivaled passion. I was constantly motivated by Coach Abdur-Rahim’s leadership during my time with him, and I genuinely appreciated his approach to establishing a connection with every kid. His impact on our coaching staff, student-athletes, and university community will last forever.
Amir Abdur-Rahim’s Professional Background
Amir Abdur-Rahim transferred to Southeastern Louisiana in 2001 after starting his collegiate playing career at Garden City CC in 2000. Over the next three years, he remained with the team.
In addition to leading the team in scoring for three consecutive seasons, Abdur-Rahim was selected to the All-Southland Conference. With 1,282 points in the end, he was the seventh-highest-scoring player in Lions history. In his final year, he transformed the team from 7-20 to 20-9 and won the conference regular-season championship.
After graduation, Amir Abdur-Rahim worked his way up through the ranks of Georgia Tech College of Charleston, Georgia, Texas A&M, and Murray State, where he was appointed assistant coach. Kennesaw State was Amir Abdur-Rahim’s first head coach, serving from 2019 until 2023.
In the fourth and final season, Abdur-Rahim guided the Owls to a 26-9 record after a challenging first three seasons, which included a 1-28 debut year. They advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history and won the regular season and conference tournament crowns.
Amir Abdur-Rahim was one of six brothers and thirteen siblings who played collegiate basketball. He is NBA player Shareef Abdur-Rahim’s younger brother. He received praise for revitalizing the basketball program at Kennesaw State before joining the Bulls.
Along with his wife, Adrianne Buchanan, he has three children: a son named Aydin and two girls, Laila and Lana.