Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic has passed away at age 46, according to reports from several outlets in Milojevic’s native Serbia. The team has confirmed the tragic news in an official press release (Twitter link).
Having accompanied the Warriors to Utah for a Wednesday game vs. the Jazz (which has since been postponed), Milojevic was rushed to the hospital in Salt Lake City on Tuesday after experiencing a medical emergency during a private team dinner with players and coaches.
The Warriors didn’t initially release any details on the nature of Milojevic’s health issue, but confirmed in their latest statement that he suffered a heart attack.
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing,” head coach Steve Kerr said in a statement. “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.”
A former star player in Europe and the longtime head coach of Mega Basket in Serbia, where he coached future NBA MVP Nikola Jokic from 2012-15, Milojevic made the move to the NBA in 2021. He joined Kerr’s staff in Golden State and won a title in 2022 to cap off his first year with the franchise.
Milojevic previously worked with the Hawks, Spurs, and Rockets during Summer Leagues from 2016-18 and was in his third season as a Warriors assistant. As a player, he primarily competed for teams in Serbia, but also spent time in Spain, Turkey, and Montenegro. He was a three-time MVP of the ABA League from 2004-06.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Milojevic’s friends and family.
RIP
Wow very tragic
RIP
Damn. Rest in Peace, and love to his family. Got to be rough for the players who were there at the time too, that leaves its mark.
This is terrible. Poor guy.
He also coached Ivica Zubac, and turned him into a pretty good Center. They had brought him into to specifically work with Wiseman. What a loss.
Didn’t they trade Wiseman?
Trading Wiseman had nothing to do with his work. It was just bad timing.
Wow, may he rest in peace and wishing all the best to his family and friends
Wow rip…
Major bummer. He was talked about as a future head coach when they brought him over, and may have been in line to replace Kerr at some point if he retires.
46, That’s quite a shocker. Condolences.
Too young to go.
Sad. RIP.
A bad year for the Warrior’s just seems to get worse daily. I hope the guy will Rest in Peace. The Warrior’s at this point probably wish they could cancel the rest of their season. This will either drain them or inspire them. Only time will tell which.
I imagine it will drain them initially, then they will dedicate there common cause to winning a title for coach. The 8th stage of grieving.
Wow, how sad. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and the Warriors!
Praying for his family
Thoughts and prayers. – those statements ended school shootings forever, so it should help the team.
46 is young….. RIP
Rest in Glory
Yes…science shows heart attacks can lead to death. Thanks for the insight lol
I’m gonna be 46 this year and I feel like I haven’t lived anything yet, so early to go in this day and age… Rip and condolences to family
Load of bull
My brother in law had a heart attack at 42, smoker and unhealthy eater, probably also genetic factors. This was way before the jab.
Sadly like most Europeans Coach was raised on a diet rich in fatty foods since birth my ignorant friend,filling his arteries with plaque since conception no doubt. Looking at recent photographs of Coach it’s obvious he is a bit over weight and looks pasty.
You absolutely no idea what his diet was like. Why make stuff up?
Huh? I read it on Twitter.
Yeah, because “Yurop” is a country and all people, from Portimão to Vorkuta and from Longyearbyen to Iraklion all eat the same “Yuropeen” diet, while the U.S. exemplifies the beacon of healthy nourishment.
Not sure what’s worse, America’s education or its dietary habits.