Warriors coach Dejan Milojević dead at 46
Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević has died after suffering a medical issue at a team dinner on Tuesday night. He was 46.
Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević has died after suffering a medical emergency at a team dinner in Salt Lake City, the team said. He was 46.
The Warriors said he suffered a heart attack.
Milojević was in his third season on the Warriors' bench and was a part of the coaching staff when Golden State defeated the Boston Celtics to win the NBA championship in 2022.
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The team said he suffered a "medical emergency at a private team dinner." The NBA announced that the Warriors’ game against the Utah Jazz, set for Wednesday night, was postponed.
"We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing," 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."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also released a statement.
"The NBA mourns the sudden passing of Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojević, a beloved colleague and dear friend to many in the global basketball community. In addition to winning the 2022 NBA championship in his first season with the Warriors and mentoring some of the best players in the world, Dejan had a decorated international playing career and was a distinguished head coach in his native Serbia. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Natasa, their children, Nikola and Masa, and the Warriors organization during this tragic time."
Milojević previously coached in Serbia and Montenegro before he joined the Warriors. He coached Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic before he came to the U.S.
Milojević had stints in the NBA Summer League with the Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. He spent 14 years as a professional basketball player and was a three-time MVP of the Adriatic League.
As a head coach overseas, Milojević was a Serbian Cup winner in 2016 and a Montenegrin League champion and Montenegrin Cup winner in 2021.
As a member of the Serbia and Montenegro national basketball team, Milojević won a gold medal in the 22 & under European Championship in 1998 and a gold in EuroBasket in 2001.
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