Amir Abdur-Rahim, the top males’s basketball coach on the College of South Florida, died on Thursday whereas present process a medical process, the varsity introduced. He was 43 years outdated.
USF mentioned Abdur-Rahim died resulting from problems that arose throughout a process at a Tampa-area hospital.
“All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the family members of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” mentioned Michael Kelly, vp for athletics, in a press release. “He was genuine, pushed, and his infectious character captivated all of Bulls Nation. Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves an enduring influence on our student-athletes, the College, and the group. We’re supporting these closest to him, together with his household, staff, and athletics workers, to make sure they’ve the assets they should cope with this super loss.”
Abdur-Rahim, a Marietta, Georgia, native, was the reigning AAC Coach of the 12 months following a historic first season with USF.
He coached the Bulls to a program-record 25 wins in 2023-24 as they captured their first-ever regular-season convention championship. USF additionally cracked the highest 25 throughout the common season for the primary time in program historical past, being ranked as excessive as No. 24.
“In a really quick time, Coach Abdur-Rahim made an indelible influence on the College of South Florida. In his first season as our head coach, he introduced an unmatched enthusiasm, achieved unprecedented success and helped generate unforgettable reminiscences for Bulls Nation,” USF president Rhea Regulation mentioned. “All through my time working with Coach Abdur-Rahim, I used to be regularly impressed by his management, and actually admired his honest method to connecting with our whole pupil physique. His affect on our student-athletes, teaching workers and the college group will dwell on endlessly.”
Abdur-Rahim was employed by USF after he oversaw an unbelievable turnaround at Kennesaw State. The Atlantic Solar program went 1-28, shedding all of its convention video games, in Abdur-Rahim’s first season on the helm in 2019-20.
However the Owls improved to 5-19 after which to 13-18 earlier than a landmark 2022-23 marketing campaign, the place they completed above .500 for the primary time as a Division I program at 26-9, gained the regular-season and convention tournaments for his or her first-ever ASUN titles, and reached the NCAA Match for the primary time in program historical past.
Earlier than touchdown his first main head teaching gig at Kennesaw State, Abdur-Rahim labored on staffs at Georgia Tech, the Faculty of Charleston, Texas A&M, Murray State and Georgia. He was additionally a three-time All-Southland Convention guard at Southeastern Louisiana College as a participant.
Abdur-Rahim and his spouse had three youngsters, USF mentioned. Abdur-Rahim had 12 brothers and sisters; certainly one of his brothers is G League president and former NBA participant Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
The Related Press contributed to this story.