Anthony Edwards pays tribute to his former coach who died this week

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards paid tribute on social media on Sunday to mentor and former coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, the South Florida head coach who died this week at the age of 43.

Abdur-Rahim was Tom Crean’s assistant at Georgia in 2018–19. There, he played a major role in recruiting Edwards to play for the Bulldogs. Abdur-Rahim first took over as head coach at Kennesaw State before Edwards’ lone season at Georgia, but the two remained close.

“Therrell HS 6am mode!” Edwards wrote in a post about X. “Coach RIP Amir.”

6:00 Therrell HS Mode! RIP Coach Amir pic.twitter.com/bxRvpD7jDH

— Anthony Edwards (@theantedwards_) October 27, 2024

Abdur-Rahim began his coaching career in 2006. After reaching the NCAA Tournament in his fourth season at Kennessaw State, he led USF to a 25-8 record in 2023-24.

While Abdur-Rahim recruited Edwards to stay home and play for Georgia, the two became close and kept in touch throughout Edwards’ NBA career.

Amir Abdur-Rahim was one of the most talented young basketball coaches. Only 43 years old. He made remarkable turns at Kennesaw State and South Florida and helped sign Anthony Edwards at Georgia. He influenced so many people. A wonderful man, husband, father.

Heartbreaking news.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) October 24, 2024

Edwards, who played at Therell HS and then Holy Spirit Preparatory School in Atlanta, spent a year under Crean at Georgia and was acquired by the Wolves with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He has since become one of their top players in the league and one of the biggest faces of the new generation.