South Florida men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim died Thursday while undergoing a medical procedure, the school confirmed. Abdur-Rahim was 43.
The school said in a statement that complications arose during his treatment at a Tampa-area hospital.
“All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” athletic director Michael Kelly said in a statement. “He was authentic, driven, and his infectious personality captivated all of Bulls Nation. Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves a lasting impact on our student-athletes, the University, and the community.”
Abdur-Rahim was seen as a rising star in the profession and a potential major program coach. He led a remarkable turnaround in his first season with the Bulls last year, earning unanimous American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors. He coached South Florida to a school-record 25 victories, its first regular-season conference title ever, its first appearance in the polls and its first NIT appearance in more than a decade.
Before taking over the Bulls in March 2023, Abdur-Rahim, a Georgia native, guided Kennesaw State to 26 wins and its first trip to the NCAA Tournament after the program went 1-28 in his first season at the helm (2019-20).
The Southeastern Louisiana graduate also spent time as an assistant at Georgia and Texas A&M.
“In a very short time, Coach Abdur-Rahim made an indelible impact on the University of South Florida,” school president Rhea Law said. “Throughout my time working with Coach Abdur-Rahim, I was continually inspired by his leadership, and truly admired his sincere approach to connecting with our entire student body. His influence on our student-athletes, coaching staff and the university community will live on forever.”
Corey Staniscia witnessed Abdur-Rahim’s influence and sincere connections firsthand as the director of the Bulls’ Fowler Ave Collective. Abdur-Rahim sent random supportive text messages. More than once, he hung around the campus Starbucks and put students’ drinks on his tab.
The last time Staniscia saw him, he asked how the team was jelling. Abdur-Rahim’s answer: “I’m getting them to love each other.”
“That man loved his athletes and what he did,” Staniscia said. “He truly did care about them.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better person to be here.”
Abdur-Rahim is survived by his wife, Arianne Buchanan, and three children, Laila, Lana and Aydin. His older brother, Shareef, was a longtime forward in the NBA.
Abdur-Rahim’s death comes less than a week before South Florida’s scheduled exhibition against Edward Waters. The school did not announce an interim coach.
(Photo: Chris Jones / Imagn Images)
