Dejan Milojević, an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors and a former standout player in his native Serbia, mentored two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. The team confirmed that Milojević passed away in Utah on Wednesday following a heart attack. At forty-six, Milojević was a member of the team that assisted the Warriors in winning the 2022 NBA title.
After suffering a medical issue during a private team meal on Tuesday night, Milojević passed away in Salt Lake City. The NBA postponed the Wednesday night game that the Warriors were supposed to play the Utah Jazz.
Head coach Steve Kerr of the Warriors expressed deep sadness at Milojević’s untimely death, referring to it as a “shocking and tragic blow.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also expressed his condolences for the tragedy in a heartfelt message.
“The NBA laments Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojević’s unexpected passing. He was a cherished friend and colleague to a large number of people in the world of basketball. Silver stated, “Dejan had a distinguished international playing career and was a distinguished head coach in his native Serbia in addition to winning the 2022 NBA championship in his first season with the Warriors and coaching some of the top players in the world.