Kennesaw State and Director of Athletics Milton Overton announced the hiring of Amir Abdur-Rahim as head coach of the men’s basketball program on Thursday, April 18.
“This is a job I’ve always had my eye on,” Abdur-Rahim said. “It’s a growing university, an amazing campus … and then with the recruiting base that we have in Metro-Atlanta and the surrounding areas, this is a place that has all the ingredients to be successful.”
Abdur-Rahim joins the Owls having spent the past year as an assistant coach at the University of Georgia, beating out Valdosta State head coach Mike Helfer and University of Tennessee assistant Des Oliver for the position at KSU.
Prior to his stint in Athens, Abdur-Rahim coached in various assistant roles at Texas A&M, College of Charleston, Georgia Tech and Murray State. He will be entering his first career head coaching position at KSU.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Amir Abdur-Rahim and his family back home to Cobb County and Kennesaw State University,” Overton said. “He has the ability to raise the profile of KSU basketball both locally and nationally as someone who has proven to be very successful at identifying and acquiring great talent.”
There are many places Abdur-Rahim has coached, but his roots lie here in Cobb County where he played for Wheeler High School’s basketball team.
Abdur-Rahim has also helped in various youth camps in the local area through a foundation set up by his brother Shareef, who formerly played for the Atlanta Hawks and is currently president of the NBA’s developmental G-league.
A fresh start for KSU will mean renewed opportunities for the team to recruit talent from Atlanta and its suburbs — an area Abdur-Rahim has vast knowledge and connections with.
Only three members of the current men’s basketball roster attended Atlanta-area high schools, but Abdur-Rahim’s understanding of local talent is a top priority for KSU.
A press conference introducing Abdur-Rahim to the university will be held on Friday, April 19, at 12:30 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
