The College of South Florida introduced that males’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim died on Thursday.
In line with the varsity, Abdur-Rahim died because of issues throughout a medical process. He was solely 43 years outdated.
USF president Rhea Legislation reacted to the beautiful loss, highlighting the impression the top coach revamped such a short while.
“In his first season as our head coach, he introduced an unmatched enthusiasm, achieved unprecedented success and helped generate unforgettable reminiscences for Bulls Nation,” mentioned Legislation. “All through my time working with coach Abdur-Rahim, I used to be regularly impressed by his management and really admired his honest strategy to connecting with our complete scholar physique. His affect on our student-athletes, teaching employees and the college group will dwell on eternally.”
Taking on a program that completed the earlier yr 14-18, Abdur-Rahim earned AAC Coach of the Yr honors in 2023-24, main the Bulls to a 25-8 file and a convention title.
Abdur-Rahim left the same mark at his earlier cease, Kennesaw State, the place he took over this system in 2018-19 following a 1-28 file. He’d go onto amass a 45-74 file over 4 seasons, main the Owls to a 26-9 end and the Atlantic Solar Convention title in 2022-23.Â
Predictably, the response to Abdur-Rahim’s premature passing was equally as heart-wrenching at KSU.
“Abdur-Rahim left a legacy not solely at Kennesaw State however all through his life,” mentioned KSU Director of Athletics Milton Overton. “Owl nation will eternally keep in mind how he molded younger males into champions on the court docket and of their lives.”
USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly mentioned the whole group is grieving alongside Abdur-Rahim’s family members whereas guaranteeing everybody, together with household, mates, employees and gamers, have “the assets they should take care of this super loss.”