South Florida Basketball Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim Dies at 43: Tragic Medical Complications During Procedure

South Florida Basketball Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim Dies at 43

Amir Abdur-Rahim, the head coach of the South Florida men’s basketball team, tragically passed away on Thursday at the age of 43 due to complications from a medical procedure. The university announced his death, prompting an outpouring of grief from the athletics community. USF athletic director Michael Kelly praised Abdur-Rahim's authentic personality and the lasting impact he had on student-athletes and the university.

In just his first season with South Florida, Abdur-Rahim achieved remarkable success, leading the Bulls to a program-record 25 wins and their first American Athletic Conference regular-season title.

The team also made history by breaking into the AP Top 25 rankings for the first time, showcasing the significant turnaround under his leadership. His vision for the program was evident from the start, as he spoke about future successes at his introductory press conference.

Before his time at South Florida, Abdur-Rahim spent four seasons at Kennesaw State, where he turned the struggling program into a competitive force, culminating in an NCAA tournament appearance in 2023. His impressive coaching skills earned him the Hugh Durham Award, recognizing him as the nation’s best mid-major coach. His journey in coaching included stints at various colleges, where he built strong relationships that aided his recruiting efforts.

Abdur-Rahim played college basketball at Southeastern Louisiana, earning accolades as a three-time All-Southland selection and leaving a mark in the program's history. His coaching career began as an assistant at schools like Georgia, where he was instrumental in signing top prospects, including Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

USF President Rhea Law and the American Athletic Conference expressed their condolences, acknowledging Abdur-Rahim's extraordinary contributions to the program and the college basketball community. Abdur-Rahim is survived by his wife, Arianne, and their three children, daughters Laila and Lana, and son Aydin. His legacy will be remembered for both his coaching achievements and his profound influence on those he worked with.

South Florida Basketball Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim Dies at 43: Tragic Medical Complications During Procedure