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College basketball coach passes away days before season opener
By Paul Harvey
Published:
College basketball has lost a figure regarded as one of the bright young stars in the head coaching ranks. That news comes with the official start of the college basketball season a little over a week away.
According to Joey Knight with The Tampa Bay Times, USF head basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim passed Thursday at the age of 43. Abdur-Rahim led the Bulls to their first regular-season conference title last year in his first season leading the program.
Prior to leading USF, Abdur-Rahim led a strong turnaround at Kennesaw State. Knight reports Abdur-Rahim was battling an aggressive but undisclosed illness at the time of his death.
Hate to be the bearer of this horrific news: #USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim has died following an aggressive illness. I’m expecting the school to release some type of statement shortly. https://t.co/a9NDtprvh0
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) October 24, 2024
USF has since confirmed the passing of Abdur-Rahim on social media. The program described Abdur-Rahim as “a tremendous man & leader with an infectious personality that was a shining light to all he encountered.”
We are heartbroken over the passing of Coach Abdur-Rahim.
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. pic.twitter.com/h353f3FNno
— USF Men’s Basketball (@USFMBB) October 24, 2024
The news is heartbreaking and comes at a unique time on the calendar. USF is scheduled to play an exhibition next Wednesday, Oct. 30, and the regular-season opener is scheduled for Nov. 4 against Florida.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Abdur-Rahim’s family and the entire USF program as they adjust to this news.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
