By: Nolan Alexander

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

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

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

Abdur-Rahim had completed his first season as head coach of the University of South Florida. He was unanimously selected for American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year following USF’s 25-8 record (16-2 AAC) and claimed the program’s first-ever regular season conference title.

“I share my sincere prayers and condolences with Amir’s wife, Arianne, his two daughters, Laila and Lana, and a son, Aydin. Amir Abdur-Rahim left a legacy not only in 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 athletic director Milton Overton.