The basketball community is mourning the loss of Dejan Milojevic, a beloved figure and Golden State Warriors assistant coach, who passed away at the age of 46 after suffering a heart attack in Salt Lake City.
Expressing profound grief, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr released a statement.
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“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing. 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,” Kerr declared.
Milojevic, a retired 6-foot-7 power forward and former Serbian basketball star, is survived by his wife, Natasa, and their two children, Nikola and Masa.
Kerr also reflected on Milojevic’s character.
“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 family. Their loss is unfathomable.”
When did the tragedy occur?
The tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday when Milojevic suffered a sudden and severe health issue at Valter’s Osteria, a popular Italian restaurant frequently visited by NBA players and coaches.
Warriors coaches stood by Milojevic’s side at the hospital, with the NBA later announcing the postponement of the team’s scheduled game against the Jazz in Salt Lake City. A makeup date is yet to be determined.
Milojevic’s illustrious basketball career included stints as a star player on the Serbian national team from 1994 to 2009, earning three consecutive Adriatic League Most Valuable Player Awards from 2004 to 2006. His professional playing career spanned Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey, and Spain before transitioning into coaching.
Before joining the Warriors as an assistant, Milojevic served as the head coach for Mega Basket in the Adriatic Basketball Association. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the development of NBA star Nikola Jokic during his time coaching at Mega Basket.
Milojevic continued to make significant contributions to the basketball world, coaching in Montenegro in 2021 before joining Kerr’s staff as an assistant.
In his third season with the Warriors, Milojevic had previously celebrated an NBA title at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, leaving an enduring legacy within the basketball community.
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