TAMPA, Fla. – The American Athletic Conference is paying tribute to the late University of South Florida men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who tragically passed away in October.
Commissioner Tim Pernetti announced that Abdur-Rahim will be named the Honorary 2024-25 American Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year. His family will be presented with the award at South Florida’s home game against Temple on February 6th.
In addition to this honor, the conference will donate $15,000 – the amount of Abdur-Rahim’s contracted bonus for winning Coach of the Year – to the Future Foundation, a non-profit organization close to the Abdur-Rahim family.
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To further commemorate Abdur-Rahim’s impact, the conference is establishing the Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award. This annual award will be presented to the men’s basketball student-athlete who best exemplifies sportsmanship, fair play, and leadership, qualities that defined Abdur-Rahim’s coaching style.
“Coach Amir had a positive and lasting impact on the young men he coached, the South Florida community, the game of basketball, and the American Athletic Conference,” said Pernetti. “We are so proud to name him Honorary Coach of the Year this season and to support the Future Foundation, which is so important to the Abdur-Rahim family. The Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award will ensure his legacy, forever, by recognizing student-athletes who exemplify the traits that made Amir so special.”
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USF Athletics Vice President Michael Kelly expressed gratitude for the tribute, stating, “Coach Amir’s passion for mentoring student-athletes and his unwavering commitment to excellence left a lasting impact on USF and our community. He will always be a true inspiration to us all.”
Abdur-Rahim’s untimely passing was a significant loss for the USF community and the college basketball world.
He led the Bulls to their first-ever conference championship and AP Top 25 ranking in the 2023-24 season. This tribute ensures that his legacy of sportsmanship and leadership will continue to inspire future generations of student-athletes.
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