CALIFORNIA, USA — Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević died in Salt Lake City after suffering a medical emergency Tuesday night, the team said Wednesday.
The situation led the NBA to postpone Wednesday’s game between the Warriors and the Utah Jazz. The league did not immediately announce a rescheduled date.
The Warriors said in a statement that Milojević suffered a heart attack during a private team dinner.
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing,” said Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr. “This is a shocking and tragic blow for everyone associated with the Warriors and an incredibly difficult time for his family, friends, and all of us who had the incredible pleasure to work with him. In addition to being a terrific basketball coach, Dejan was one of the most positive and beautiful human beings I have ever known, someone who brought joy and light to every single day with his passion and energy. We grieve with and for his wife, Natasa, and their children, Nikola and Masa. Their loss is unfathomable.”
The 46-year-old was in his third season with the Warriors and was part of the group that helped Golden State win the 2022 NBA championship. He previously coached in Serbia — where he once worked with a young Nikola Jokic before the now-Denver star and two-time NBA MVP came to the United States — along with Montenegro, plus is a past assistant coach for the Serbian national team.
He had prior NBA experience through Summer League stints with Atlanta, San Antonio and Houston. Milojević spent 14 years as a player and was a three-time MVP of the Adriatic League.
The Jazz said tickets for Wednesday’s game would be honored for the rescheduled date which has not been announced yet.
Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown issued the following statement:
“I am absolutely heartbroken by Dejan’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with Dejan during my time with the Warriors. Not only was he an extremely talented coach, he was an even better person. I join the entire basketball community in grieving his loss. My thoughts are with his wife, Natasa, and their children, Nikola and Masa.”
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