College of South Florida males’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim has died at 43 years previous attributable to an undisclosed sickness.
The varsity mentioned Abdur-Rahim died whereas struggling issues throughout a medical process at a Tampa-area hospital.
“We’re heartbroken over the passing of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” the school wrote on X.
“An amazing man & chief with an infectious persona that was a shining mild to all he encountered. Our ideas & prayers are along with his household, associates and everybody that he left an enduring impression on.”
Abdur-Rahim was coming into his second season as head coach of USF after main the crew to the AAC common season championship final yr.
It marked the primary time USF has ever gained its convention and ranked within the AP prime 25.
“All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the family members of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” mentioned vice chairman for athletics Michael Kelly mentioned in a press release.
“He was genuine, pushed, and his infectious persona captivated all of Bulls Nation. Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves an enduring impression on our student-athletes, the College, and the group. We’re supporting these closest to him, together with his household, crew, and athletics employees, to make sure they’ve the assets they should take care of this super loss.”
Abdur-Rahim manifested a imaginative and prescient that he offered USF athletics director Michael Kelly on earlier than he was employed.
“I requested (Kelly), ‘You afraid of heights? Since you’re going to should stand up on that ladder at some point to chop down these nets,’” the coach mentioned in the course of the press convention by which he was launched as this system’s head coach.
Abdur-Rahim is survived by his spouse and three kids.
Earlier than USF, Abdur-Rahim was the top coach at Kennesaw State, taking up a crew that had gone 1-28 and ultimately reaching a 26-9 report.
