Abdur-Rahim and Rondo Joined USF Volleyball Team
Transfers from Power Four programs brought new depth to the South Florida squad this season.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Volleyball
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Samiyah Abdur-Rahim and Ryelle Rondo transferred to the University of South Florida (USF) volleyball team from Texas Christian University and the University of Alabama, respectively. The athletes joined the Tampa program to prioritize an inclusive team culture and build individual legacies.
Why it matters
The transfers sought to establish their own athletic identities independent of their professional basketball-playing fathers. By moving to USF, both players aimed to thrive within a collegiate environment defined by friendship and support.
Samiyah Abdur-Rahim has recorded 21 kills and 23 total points this season, while Ryelle Rondo has contributed 32 digs. Both players transitioned to Tampa after their careers at Texas Christian University and the University of Alabama.
The players
Samiyah Abdur-Rahim
She is a volleyball student-athlete who transferred to USF to develop her own collegiate career.
Ryelle Rondo
She is a volleyball student-athlete who transitioned to the South Florida program from the University of Alabama.
Jolene Shepardson
She serves as the head coach of the USF volleyball team and managed the recruitment of the new transfers.
Amir Abdur-Rahim
He was the head coach of the USF men's basketball team who influenced the campus athletic culture before his death.
Rajon Rondo
He is a former NBA champion who played 16 seasons in the league and is the father of Ryelle Rondo.
The details
USF head coach Jolene Shepardson actively recruited the pair to reinforce the team's depth. The players were drawn to the Tampa campus by the culture fostered under the program, which allowed them to move past the spotlight often associated with their family names.
Timeline
In 2008, Rajon Rondo won an NBA championship during his 16-year professional career.
Amir Abdur-Rahim began coaching the USF men's basketball team in 2023.
On Oct. 3, 2024, USF men's basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim passed away.
Season Trajectory
The addition of high-profile transfers signals a shift in the competitive depth of the USF volleyball program within the American Athletic Conference. This roster evolution follows a pattern set by the death of Amir Abdur-Rahim, which fundamentally altered the atmosphere and priorities of USF athletics.
The arrival of Abdur-Rahim and Rondo provides the USF coaching staff with immediate depth in both attacking and defensive rotations. These additions shift the team's statistical output, bolstering the floor defense with Rondo's 32 digs and providing secondary scoring options through Abdur-Rahim's kills.
The takeaway
These athletes demonstrate that collegiate success is often driven by finding environments that foster personal growth alongside physical performance. Prospective student-athletes should look for programs that align with their values beyond just the prestige of a conference.
Further reading
For more on the latest team developments, explore the Volleyball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Oracle.
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