University of South Florida men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim has died at the age of 43, according to a statement from the school.
Abdur-Rahim, who was about to enter his second year coaching the USF Bulls, was undergoing a medical procedure at a Tampa-area hospital when he died on Thursday, October 24, due to complications that arose during the procedure. Per the Tampa Bay Times, he had been suffering from an undisclosed illness.
Abdur-Rahim led the team to its first regular-season conference title last winter in his first year on the job, and was considered to be a rising star in the collegiate coaching sports arena. Under his guidance, USF earned its first-ever Top 25 ranking in men’s basketball during the season, reaching as high as No. 24 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls.
“All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” USF athletic director Michael Kelly said in the university 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. 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.”
“We are heartbroken over the passing of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” read a social media post from the USF Men’s Basketball X account. “A tremendous man & leader with an infectious personality that was a shining light to all he encountered. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family, friends and everyone that he left a lasting impact on.”
USF President Rhea Law also paid tribute in a statement: “In a very short time, Coach Abdur-Rahim made an indelible impact on the University of South Florida. In his first season as our head coach, he brought an unmatched enthusiasm, achieved unprecedented success and helped generate unforgettable memories for Bulls Nation. 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.”
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Abdur-Rahim was one of 13 siblings and one of six brothers to play college basketball. He is the younger brother of NBA star Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Prior to joining the Bulls, he won acclaim for turning around the Kennesaw State basketball program.
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He is survived by his wife, Arianne Buchanan, and their three children: daughters Laila and Lana, and son Aydin.
