Amir Abdur-Rahim, the head men’s basketball coach at the University of South Florida, tragically passed away at the age of 43 after battling “an aggressive illness,” according to the Tampa Bay Times.Â
Abdur-Rahim, who built a reputation as a rising star in coaching, is survived by his wife, three children, siblings and extended family. He was the younger brother of Shareef Abdur-Rahim, an NBA All-Star with a notable career after college basketball.
Abdur-Rahim’s career was one of perseverance and remarkable turnarounds. He took the helm at USF before the 2023-24 season, leading the Bulls to a 25-8 record in his first year, which included a regular-season AAC title.
Before his tenure at USF, Abdur-Rahim made waves at Kennesaw State. After a 1-28 start in his first season, Abdur-Rahim slowly transformed the Owls’ fortunes, improving to 5-19, then 13-18 over the next two years. His crowning achievement came during the 2022-23 season, when Kennesaw State achieved a remarkable 26-9 record, winning its conference and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Abdur-Rahim’s passing is a profound loss to the basketball community, which had come to admire his dedication, resilience and ability to uplift programs. His legacy as a coach and mentor will be remembered by players and peers alike.