Amir Abdur-Rahim, the South Florida men’s basketball coach who led the Bulls to an American Athletic Conference regular-season championship last year, has died at the age of 43.
The university announced that he passed away due to complications from a procedure at a hospital in the Tampa area. USF athletic director Michael Kelly praised Abdur-Rahim’s authenticity and infectious personality, stating that he made a lasting impact on student-athletes, the university, and the broader community. The school is providing support to his family, team, and athletics staff during this difficult time.
Abdur-Rahim was on a promising trajectory in the coaching realm. After a rocky start at Kennesaw State, where he went 19-65 in his first three seasons, he turned the program around, leading them to a 26-9 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022-23. His immediate success at USF was marked by a 25-8 record, earning him the unanimous AAC Coach of the Year title.
USF President Rhea Law and other colleagues expressed their admiration for his leadership and connection with students, while fellow coaches and NCAA officials reflected on the profound loss of a vibrant and talented figure in college basketball.
Abdur-Rahim is survived by his wife, Arianne, and their three children, alongside a large family that includes G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
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