Amir Abdur Rahimthe head men’s basketball coach USFHe died after battling “an aggressive illness.” Tampa Bay Times. He was 43.

Abdur-Rahim, who played in college, was the younger brother of Shareef Abdur Rahimwho became an NBA star after his college days. They had another brother, Muhammad Abdur Rahimwho also played in college.

Abdur-Rahim, who leaves behind his wife and three children as well as siblings and other family members, was considered a rising star in coaching.

Abdur-Rahim took over as head coach at USF prior to the 2023-24 season and posted a 25-8 record in his first season. They won an AAC regular season title but failed to reach the NCAA Tournament.

Before joining USF, he had engineered a miraculous turnaround Kennesaw State program he directed. After going 1-28 in his first season, Abdur-Rahim led the Owls to a 5-19 mark and then a 13-18 season. His crowning achievement came a year later with a 26-9 2022-23 season in which Kennesaw State won its conference and made the NCAA Tournament.

This spring, Abdur-Rahim was linked to even higher-profile head coaching jobs but remained at USF.

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander evaluated the latest coaching moves across the country during a segment in March.

“Louisville? Didn’t get it Dusty May. The search has been recalibrated a little bit here,” Norlander said. “Shaheen Holloway from Seton Hall was involved, Amir Abdur-Rahim from South Florida was involved”

Norlander Adder, another job prospect, could also have his eye on Abdur-Rahim Vanderbilt. After apparently missing an option like Utah State Danny Sprinkles after his reported appointment WashingtonAbdur-Rahim could have been a target for the Commodores to pursue Jerry Stackhouse.

Before Kennesaw State, Abdur-Rahim was an assistant at Texas A&M (2014-18) and Georgia (2018-19).

He played his college basketball at Garden City CC from 2000 to 2001 before transferring to Southeast Louisiana from 2001 to 2004. He began his coaching career in 2006 with Murray State as an assistant and ended up at the College of Charleston in 2012.

After his time there, he ended up at Texas A&M, Georgia and finally Kennesaw State.

South Florida is scheduled to begin its 2024-25 season on Nov. 4 against in-state rival Florida.