Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević, a mentor to two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and a former star player in his native Serbia, died Wednesday in Utah after suffering a heart attack, the team announced. Milojević, part of the staff that helped the Warriors win the 2022 NBA championship, was 46.
Milojević died in Salt Lake City, where he was hospitalized Tuesday night after the medical emergency happened during a private team dinner. The Warriors had been scheduled to play the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, a game the NBA postponed.
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing,” coach Steve Kerr said in a statement released by the team. “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.
The basketball world immediately expressed deep sorrow over Milojević’s passing, and moments of silence were observed on Wednesday before to NBA games. Erik Spoelstra, the coach of the Miami Heat, described the news as “horrific.” Like Milojević, Atlanta forward Bogdan Bogdanovic is a Serbian. He graciously declined to talk on Wednesday prior to the Hawks game, expressing regret. I am unable to discuss it at this time. “I’m so sorry,” he said, patting his chest. Gregg Popovich, the coach of San Antonio, was gushing over Milojević’s coaching abilities.
