USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim dies at 43

TAMPA, Fla. — South Florida coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who led the Bulls to the American Athletic Convention’s regular-season championship a 12 months in the past, has died, the varsity introduced Thursday. He was 43.

The varsity mentioned he died from issues that introduced whereas he was present process a process at a Tampa-area hospital.

“He was genuine, pushed, and his infectious persona captivated all of Bulls Nation,” USF athletic director Michael Kelly mentioned. “Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves an enduring affect 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 great loss.”

Abdur-Rahim was a rising star within the teaching world. He went 19-65 in his first three seasons at Kennesaw State however loved nice success over the following two seasons. His 2022-23 staff at Kennesaw State went 26-9 and made the NCAA Event, incomes him the shot to educate at USF.

He as soon as quipped he “had no clue” what he was doing throughout his first season as a head coach, when Kennesaw State gained simply as soon as.

Abdur-Rahim was an instantaneous success with USF and was the unanimous decide because the AAC’s coach of the 12 months final season. The Bulls went 25-8, gained the convention regular-season title, gained a sport within the NIT and celebrated this system’s first-ever rating within the AP Prime 25 alongside the way in which.

“Truthfully, I discovered from my errors,” Abdur-Rahim advised The Related Press on the time. “Early on at Kennesaw, I wished all the pieces instantly. And so my persistence and the way I responded to issues wasn’t nearly as good. … And I consider wholeheartedly, a staff is simply going to be nearly as good as their coach’s response. And I attempt to reply the precise manner.”

USF President Rhea Regulation lauded the affect he had on campus.

“All through my time working with coach Abdur-Rahim, I used to be regularly impressed by his management, and really admired his honest strategy to connecting with our complete scholar physique,” Regulation mentioned. “His affect on our student-athletes, teaching workers and the college group will dwell on without end.”

This season’s USF staff was picked third within the AAC preseason ballot. It’s scheduled to play an exhibition sport on Oct. 30 in opposition to Edward Waters, then opens the season in opposition to No. 21 Florida in Jacksonville on Nov. 4.

“That is really a horrible tragedy,” George Washington coach Chris Caputo posted on social media. “Amir was man and a very good coach. Please pray for him and his household.”

Abdur-Rahim and his spouse had three kids, USF mentioned. Abdur-Rahim had 12 brothers and sisters; one in all his brothers is G League president and former NBA participant Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

“I’m devastated by the sudden passing of my good pal Amir Abdur-Rahim, an excellent man, husband, father and chief who introduced great constructive vitality to all he encountered,” USF soccer coach Alex Golesh mentioned. “My coronary heart breaks for his spouse, Arianne, his three kids, prolonged household and lots of pals.”

NCAA senior vp Dan Gavitt referred to as Abdur-Rahim’s demise “heartbreaking.”

“Amir was such a vibrant and proficient coach, and a good higher man,” Gavitt mentioned.

AAC commissioner Tim Pernetti echoed these sentiments, saying Abdur-Rahim “gained the precise manner, with class and charm.”

“In solely 5 years as a head coach, Amir established himself as among the finest in faculty basketball, successful championships in two conferences and taking each South Florida and Kennesaw State to unprecedented ranges of success,” Pernetti mentioned.