By: Nolan Alexander

KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State University is mourning the loss of former men’s basketball head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who passed away Thursday.

Abdur-Rahim led KSU to its first March Madness appearance after winning the 2023 Atlantic Sun regular season and tournament titles. The Marietta, Georgia native spent four seasons at KSU, doubling the program’s win total each season, culminating in a postseason run that captured the hearts of Owl Nation.

Abdur-Rahim was named ASUN Coach of the Year and NABC District 3 Coach of the Year and was named the 2023 Hugh Durham Award winner by CollegeInsider.com. He was also named Georgia Men’s College Coach of the Year by the Atlanta Tipoff Club and was a finalist for the Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year award.

Abdur-Rahim was in his first season as head coach at the University of South Florida. Following USF’s 25-8 record (16-2 AAC), he was unanimously named American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and captured the program’s first regular-season conference title.

“I extend my heartfelt prayers and condolences 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 shaped young men into champions on the field and in their lives,” said KSU Athletics Director Milton Overton.