Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest
By Kendall Bulkiewicz
In their first game since coach Amir Abdur-Rahim’s passing, the USF men’s basketball team honored his profound impact with a night of reflection, a fresh start, a video tribute, and a moment of silence.
New interim head coach Ben Fletcher, stepping in for his first game at the helm, led the team in their impressive exhibition victory on Wednesday over Edward Waters, 94-51.
“I just told them to leave it all out there. It’s one thing to talk about honoring somebody and what that standard is. As long as we’re playing to our standard, I can live with any outcome as long as we can do that,” said Fletcher.
Leading the way, point guard CJ Brown scored 15 points, adding six rebounds, an assist, and a steal, setting a high standard for the season ahead. Point Guard, Jayden Reid, also impressed with 13 points and a team-high three steals, while shooting guard Quincy Ademokoya and guard Jimmie Williams each added 11 points. Williams contributed seven rebounds and eight assists, while Ademokoya collected five boards.
USF men’s basketball players wore a special patch on their jerseys during their exhibition game against Edward Waters. The patch, featuring his initials “AAR” with a basketball icon, symbolized the lasting impact he had on the program and served as a constant reminder of his legacy. This subtle but powerful gesture connected the team to coach Abdur-Rahim’s spirit, honoring his dedication and passion for the game.
“It’s all God’s plan, like coach Amir would tell us. Happy to be back out there on the court. Every time you step out there, it’s for him. We have the patch on our jerseys as well. It’s a sad moment, but you know, he left the legacy and we are carrying it on,” Reid stated.
When asked if the team felt coach Abdur-Rahim’s presence, Reid responded, “Every day. At practice, as soon as I step into the building. In our locker room, we have his face up so you won’t miss him.”
Guard, Brandon Stroud, also shared the emotional weight of the night, saying, “It was pretty emotional. Last two days, going to Kennesaw. The memorial for coach was kind of emotional. But you know sometimes you got to put it in the back of your head and play the next game and do it for coach.”
USF showed its range by hitting ten three-pointers with seven players contributing from beyond the arc, and the bench outscored Edward Waters’ reserves, 54-18.
Defensively, the Bulls limited Edward Waters to a 27.1 field goal percentage and just 11.8 percent from 3-point range, with Jamille Reynolds stepping up for three of the team’s six blocks.
The Bulls’ roster features a number of new recruits and transfers. Notable enrollees include Brown, a 6-2 point guard from Marietta, GA, along with Kameren Wright, a 6’6 shooting guard from Orlando, and MaTaj Glover, a a 6-2 guard from Dacula, GA.
Joining them are key transfers Ademokoya, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Kennesaw State; De’Ante Green, a 6-9 power forward from Florida State; and Jamille Reynolds, a 6-11 center from Cincinnati, all eligible immediately.
Looking ahead, USF opens its regular season on Monday, Nov. 4, facing the University of Florida in Jacksonville, with the game starting at 8:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.
