ATLANTA — Former Kennesaw State head men's basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim has suddenly died. He was 43 years old.
Abdur-Rahim, a Marietta native, currently served as the men's head basketball coach at the University of South Florida.
The university announced his passing on social media on Thursday evening. It said that Abdur-Rahim was undergoing a medical procedure at a hospital in Tampa when he passed away due to complications during surgery.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
"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," the school said in the post.
In his time at KSU, Abdur-Rahim turned the program around from one of the worst in all of college basketball to earning a March Madness berth just last year.
Abdur-Rahim led an all-time turnaround. In his first season in 2019-20, the Owls sputtered to a 1-28 record. In 2023, he led the Owls to a 26-8 mark -- including 15 conference wins -- and put KSU on the forefront of the state's college basketball radar by passing the likes of struggling Georgia and Georgia Tech.
"When you have a vision, alright, and you know that there's more in the tank and that the way we built this thing, we're capable of going into that tournament and winning, you have to keep it as normal as possible," Abdur-Rahim said before the NCAA Tournament in 2023.
Reactions pour in
University of South Florida
"All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim," said Vice President for Athletics, Michael Kelly. "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."
"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," said USF President Rhea Law. "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."
Kennesaw State University
"I share my heartfelt prayers and sympathy to Amir's wife, Arianne, his two daughters, Laila and Lana, and a son, Aydin. Amir Abdur-Rahim left a legacy not only at Kennesaw State, but throughout his life. Owl Nation will forever remember how he molded young men into champions on the court and in their lives," said KSU Director of Athletics Milton Overton.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens
“It is with great sadness to learn of the passing of Amir Abdur-Rahim, head coach of South Florida basketball and former coach of Kennesaw State University, who died at the age of 43. A proud native of Atlanta, Coach Abdur-Rahim was not only a remarkable coach but also a mentor to countless young athletes. His passion for the game and commitment to his players made a lasting impact on our community. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and the entire basketball community during this difficult time.”