One of the most talented young collegiate basketball coaches, Amir Abdur-Rahim of South Florida, passed away Thursday at the age of 43, the university said.
According to the school, Abdur-Rahim passed away as a result of difficulties that developed when he was receiving medical treatment at a hospital in the Tampa region.
In a statement, USF athletic director Michael Kelly said, “We at South Florida Athletics are all in mourning with Coach Abdur-Rahim’s family.” “He was genuine, motivated, and enthralled Bulls Nation with his contagious charisma. Our student-athletes, the university, and the community all benefit from Coach Abdur-Rahim’s long-lasting influence. In order to provide his family, team, and athletics staff the tools they need to cope with this devastating loss, we are assisting those closest to him.”
For the first time in the school’s history, the Bulls were also listed in the men’s AP Top 25, where they held the number for two weeks in late February and early March.
“I asked [Kelly], ‘You afraid of heights?'” In March 2023, Abdur-Rahim stated this during his initial press conference. “‘Because you’re going to have to get up on that ladder one day to cut down those nets.'”
Before relocating to South Florida, Abdur-Rahim played four seasons at Kennesaw State, where he helped the Owls qualify for the 2023 NCAA tournament. From one victory in his first season as head coach to 26 in his last, he was the mastermind behind a remarkable program overhaul. In 2023, he was selected ASUN Coach of the Year and received the Hugh Durham Award, which is given yearly to the greatest mid-major coach in the country.
“There are others who have visited and are invested in this initiative. After Kennesaw State won the Atlantic Sun tournament, Abdur-Rahim told ESPN, “It was a place without any identity, but it was on the verge of being able to do something really special.”
“It’s nuts, to be honest with you.”
Abdur-Rahim is the younger brother of NBA veteran and former California star Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who is currently the NBA G League president.
Abdur-Rahim, a longstanding assistant coach, has served on staffs at Murray State, Georgia Tech, Charleston, Texas A&M, and Georgia. The Atlanta native assisted the Bulldogs in acquiring Anthony Edwards, a top-five prospect who would go on to be the first pick in the 2020 NBA draft, while he was a member of Tom Crean’s staff at Georgia.
Abdur-Rahim called Edwards to obtain his approval before departing Georgia for Kennesaw State.
“A friendship that has been developing for four years is what it means to sign a player like Anthony. During the 2022 “Coaching Origins” podcast, Abdur-Rahim stated, “There were people around it that I had real relationships with that trusted myself and the coaching staff at Georgia, that trusted me to be there.” ‘Hey dude, I got this opportunity, but if you need me here, I’ll remain,’ I told Anthony over the phone before accepting the job. I have no problem with that at all.
“Without those relationships, which I refer to as true relationships, I would not have been able to bring in the players that I have. whether or not I had the child. That individual over there intended to be OK with me no matter what, and I was going to be OK with them.”
Abdur-Rahim spent three seasons at Southeastern Louisiana playing under Billy Kennedy, who he would eventually coach at Texas A&M and Murray State. In addition to finishing in the top 10 in school history for points, 3-pointers made, and steals, he was selected to the All-Southland team three times.
“Coach Abdur-Rahim quickly left a lasting impression on the University of South Florida. “He brought an unrivaled enthusiasm, achieved unprecedented success, and helped create unforgettable memories for Bulls Nation in his first season as our head coach,” stated USF President Rhea Law. “Coach Abdur-Rahim’s leadership encouraged me throughout my time with him, and I genuinely appreciated his genuine approach to building relationships with all of our students. He will always have an impact on our student-athletes, coaching staff, and university community.
The American Athletic Conference released a statement saying, “We are devastated to hear of the tragic passing of Amir Abdur-Rahim,” “Amir became one of the greatest college basketball coaches in just five years, leading both South Florida and Kennesaw State to previously unheard-of heights of achievement and winning conference titles.
More impressively, he was a true leader among his teammates and student-athletes and won the right way, with elegance and style. In every manner, he personified the larger goal of using athletics to educate others.
Dan Gavitt, senior vice president of the NCAA, described Abdur-Rahim’s passing as “heartbreaking.”
“Amir was such a vibrant and talented coach, and an even better man,” Gavitt stated.
Abdur-Rahim’s wife, Arianne, and their three children—son Aydin and daughters Laila and Lana—survive him.
