American Athletic Conference to honor Amir Abdur-Rahim
The American Athletic Conference (AAC) will commemorate late USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim’s legacy by recognizing his impact on and off the court.
Abdur-Rahim, who died at 43 in October from complications related to a medical procedure, will be named the honorary 2024-25 AAC Coach of the Year.
As a coach, Abdur-Rahim led the Bulls to their best season in program history. Off the court, he was known for his humility and kindness during his one year at USF.
Related: USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim dies at 43
In his lone season at USF, Abdur-Rahim led the Bulls to unprecedented heights. Under his leadership, South Florida won a school-record 25 wins, and achieved their first Associated Press top-25 ranking.
His family will join AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti to receive the award at USF’s home game against Temple on Feb. 6.
The league also announced it will donate $15,000 to the Future Foundation, a non-profit founded by his brother, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, which the family has asked supporters to contribute to since his passing.
The amount is equal to the contracted bonus Abdur-Rahim would have received for winning Coach of the Year.
In addition to the Coach of the Year honor, Pernetti announced an AAC postseason award will be named after Abdur-Rahim.
The Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award will be given annually to the men’s basketball athlete who “exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, fair play and leadership,” according to the press release. The award will be voted on by the conference’s head coaches.
Pernetti said the award will serve as a lasting tribute to Abdur-Rahim’s character and impact .
“The Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award will ensure his legacy, forever, by recognizing student-athletes who exemplify the traits that made Amir so special,” Pernetti said in a press release.
Outside of basketball, Abdur-Rahim was known for his caring spirit. On Valentine’s Day, the coach brought flowers to women in the USF Athletics department.
He also shared a bond with the student body at USF. On campus, Abdur-Rahim would open his wallet to buy food for students. Before the Bulls took the court on game days, he would look to the student section and salute those who came to support the team.
Upon learning of the coach’s passing, students honored Abdur-Rahim by making him a memorial outside the Yuengling Center. Arianna Thibeault, a sophomore and SoFlo Rodeo member, said the coach treated students like one of his own.
“Anyone who showed up and came to the games, he welcomed them with open arms, like we were all part of the team basically,” Thibeault said in November.
USF Athletics Director Michael Kelly thanked Pernetti and the AAC for the tributes to Abdur-Rahim. Kelly said Abdur-Rahim’s impact went beyond affecting the university.
“He didn’t just connect with those of us at USF — he united the entire Tampa Bay community and will always be a true inspiration to us all,” Kelly said.
Abdur-Rahim’s memory has also been celebrated by South Florida since his passing. The student section in the Yuengling Center is named after him, with a planned “permanent tribute” to be installed in the arena, according to USF president Rhea Law.
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