Everyone is stunned to hear that South Florida head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim died on 24 October after complications from a medical procedure at a local hospital.
USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim had led the Bulls to their first regular-season conference championship last winter in his first year.
Highlights
- ESPN 620 AM reported that Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim passed away following surgery to remove a brain tumor.
- Coach Amir suffered complications from a blood clot after the procedure, which ultimately led to his death.
- Tom Crean, who knew him, shared that he and Joani spent time with Amir’s family at Tampa General Hospital.
He was a married father of three and recognized as a promising talent in college basketball.
His sudden death at 43 saddened players, colleagues, and the university community, as he had been absent from some recent practices.
Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim Had A Brain Tumor Surgery, But Sadly It Didn’t Go Successfully
Everyone was shocked to lose the coach at such a young age, especially since his passing was linked to an undisclosed illness. It’s a surprising loss for all who knew him.
ESPN 620 AM reported that Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim passed away following surgery to remove a brain tumor.
Unfortunately, he suffered complications from a blood clot after the procedure, which ultimately led to his death.
The head coach for the University of Georgia men’s basketball team, Tom Crean, shared that he and Joani spent time with Amir’s family at Tampa General Hospital.
Joani and me were with Amir’s family tonight at Tampa General. I’ll have more to say about Amir later. We love the Abdur Rahim family. Knowing and working with Amir was a true honor and a gift. Drive your kids to school tomorrow. He loved doing that. Pray for this family.
Tom Crean
The USF Community, Fans And Family Mourns The Loss Of Amir Abdur-Rahim
Will Weatherford, chair of the USF board of trustees, said 24 October was a “heartbreaking day” for the university.
“Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim’s passing is a shock to us all,” he said. “He was an incredible person and a great friend, and I’m grateful to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone who loved him.”
Will Weatherford
Similarly, USF athletic director Michael Kelly said everyone in South Florida Athletics is mourning Coach Abdur-Rahim’s death.
“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. We are supporting those closest to him, including his family, team and athletics staff, to ensure they have the resources they need to deal with this tremendous loss.”
Michael Kelly
Amir Abdur-Rahim has passed away due to complications while undergoing a medical procedure. He was 43. RIP. https://t.co/6p8kI0ouNI pic.twitter.com/zZCVGF8SOa
— theScore (@theScore) October 25, 2024
Abdur-Rahim started his coaching career in 2006 as a graduate assistant at Murray State, where he worked for two years before becoming a full-time assistant.
On April 18, 2019, he became the head coach at Kennesaw State and led the team to its first winning season and NCAA tournament appearance in 2022-23.
On March 29, 2023, he was appointed head coach of South Florida, replacing Brian Gregory.
He achieved significant milestones, including the program’s first Top 25 ranking and first regular season title in the American Athletic Conference.
He was also named a semifinalist for the Naismith College Coach of the Year.
A fan expressed their heartbreak over the news, noting that Coach Abdul-Rahim’s career was starting to take off.
Heartbroken seeing this! His coaching career was in takeoff mode! The type of coach that got those kids at Kennesaw State to go through a brick wall for him! Was putting South Florida back on the map! Also younger brother of Shareef Abdul-Rahim! Rest in peace king! My deepest condolences to his family! Smh
Samuel Dantzler Jr.
Additional Information
- Abdur-Rahim’s father, William, served as an imam, while his mother, Deborah, was a special education teacher in the Christian community.
- His brother, Shareef, had a 13-year career in the NBA and currently serves as the president of the NBA G League.
- He is survived by his wife, Ari and his three children, Laila, Lana, and Aydin.
- In 2023, he signed a six-year contract for $7.35 million when he came from Kennesaw State.
