Amir Abdur-Rahim, USF head basketball coach, dies at 43 – NBC 6 South Florida

Amir Abdur-Rahim, the pinnacle 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 previous.

USF stated Abdur-Rahim died attributable to 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,” stated Michael Kelly, vp for athletics, in an announcement. “He was genuine, pushed, and his infectious character captivated all of Bulls Nation. Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves an enduring affect on our student-athletes, the College, and the neighborhood. We’re supporting these closest to him, together with his household, group, and athletics workers, to make sure they’ve the sources they should take care of this large loss.”

Abdur-Rahim, a Marietta, Georgia, native, was the reigning AAC Coach of the Yr 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 in the course of the common season for the primary time in program historical past, being ranked as excessive as No. 24.

“In a really brief time, Coach Abdur-Rahim made an indelible affect 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 Legislation stated. “All through my time working with Coach Abdur-Rahim, I used to be frequently impressed by his management, and actually admired his honest strategy to connecting with our complete pupil physique. His affect on our student-athletes, teaching workers and the college neighborhood will stay on without end.”

Abdur-Rahim was employed by USF after he oversaw an unbelievable turnaround at Kennesaw State. The Atlantic Solar program went 1-28, dropping 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, received 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 stated. Abdur-Rahim had 12 brothers and sisters; considered one of his brothers is G League president and former NBA participant Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

The Related Press contributed to this story.