Amir Abdur-Rahim death, explained: What to know about sudden 2024 passing of former USF basketball coach

Amir Abdur-Rahim's legacy swirls in basketball gyms across the country more than a year after his death.

The former Kennesaw State and USF head coach was a college basketball lifer, spending nearly 20 years drawing up plays. Abdur-Rahim played a pivotal role in Anthony Edwards' ascension to greatness, serving as one of Georgia's assistant coaches for one season. He led the Owls to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2023. One year later, he led the Bulls to 25 wins, a program record. He appeared on the cusp of taking South Florida to new heights until his sudden passing in 2024.

Inducted into USF's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2025, the Abdur-Rahim name continues to carry weight on the hardwood. But just what happened to the former Bulls boss? The Sporting News looks back at his sudden passing.

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Amir Abdur-Rahim death, explained

Abdur-Rahim died at Tampa Generally Hospital on Oct. 24, 2024, just 10 days before USF's season opener. He checked into the facility earlier, undergoing a medical procedure related to an undisclosed illness. While undergoing the operation, Abdur-Rahim experienced complications, resulting in his death. He was 43 years old.

Amir Abdur-Rahim cause of death

Abdur-Rahim's cause of death was listed as complications from a medical procedure related to an undisclosed illness he was diagnosed with. It's unclear what illness Abdur-Rahim was dealing with at the time of his passing.

What illness did Amir Abdur-Rahim have?

Abdur-Rahim checked into a Tampa General Hospital to undergo treatment related to an undisclosed illness. He underwent surgery to relieve that that diagnosis. After doctors worked on him, he suffered complications. The complications from his operation resulted in his death.

To date, Abdur-Rahim's family hasn't revealed what illness Abdur-Rahim was dealing with, nor what operation he underwent. Speculation has run rife on online forums regarding what Abdur-Rahim could have been experiencing. But there is no verified account of what happened save for the explanation given on the day of his death.

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Amir Abdur-Rahim surgery

Abdur-Rahim underwent surgery in the hopes of treating a medical condition he had been diagnosed with. The particulars of that operation remain unknown at present.

Was Amir Abdur-Rahim related to Shareef Abdur-Rahim?

Amir Abdur-Rahim was, indeed, related to Shareef Abdur-Rahim. The two were brothers, the sons of an imam and a Christian special needs teacher.

Amir and Shareef were two of 13 siblings in the Abdur-Rahim family. Shareef is the biggest name in the family, playing 13 years in the NBA and earning an All-Star appearance in 2002.

Amir took the hardwood, too, turning out for Division II side Southeastern Louisiana.

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