TAMPA, Fla. —  The American Athletic Conference is honoring the memory of USF’s late head basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim.

The conference is permanently naming a postseason award in Abdur-Rahim’s honor. 

Abdur-Rahim died Oct. 24 of last year while undergoing a medical procedure at an area hospital. He was 43 years old. 

The Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award will be presented annually to the men’s basketball student-athlete who, as determined by the league's head coaches, best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, fair play and leadership.
 
“Coach Amir had a positive and lasting impact on the young men he coached, the South Florida community, the game of basketball and the American Athletic Conference,” said Pernetti. “We are so proud to name him Honorary Coach of the Year this season and to support the Future Foundation, which is so important to the Abdur-Rahim family. The Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award will ensure his legacy, forever, by recognizing student-athletes who exemplify the traits that made Amir so special.”

The league also has named Abdur-Rahim the Honorary 2024-25 American Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year.

His family will join Commissioner Pernetti at USF’s February 6 home game against Temple for the presentation of the award.

The American will also donate $15,000, the amount of Abdur-Rahim’s contracted bonus for winning the Coach of the Year honor, to the Future Foundation, a nonprofit organization that was close to Abdur-Rahim and his family’s hearts.