Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević has died at the age of 46, reportedly on X Wednesday afternoon by Adrian Wojnarowski.
Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic had died. Milojevic, 46, was hospitalized Tuesday in SLC in critical condition. After a decorated 15-year playing/coaching career, the Serbian native joined Warriors staff in 2021. He was a beloved figure in global and league circles.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 17, 2024
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“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.”
According to USA Today, 46-year-old Milojević travelled to Salt Lake City on Monday along with the Warriors in preparation for their Wednesday matchup against the Utah Jazz.
However, the National Basketball Association (NBA) decided to postpone the game, after Milojevic’s sudden passing, and it will be rescheduled.
In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said: “The NBA mourns the sudden passing of Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojević, a beloved colleague and dear friend to so many in the global basketball community.”
Silver recalled Milojević’s 2022 NBA championship victory and praised his mentorship of some of the best players in the world.
The Serbian coach previously served as head coach in Montenegro and Serbia and joined the Warriors coaching staff in 2021. He was a three-time Adriatic Basketball Association MVP and won a gold medal for Serbia and Montenegro at the 2001 Eurobasket.
He worked as a helper coach for Serbia’s national team and coached a young Nikola Jokic in Serbia, way before anyone thought Jokic could become a two-time MVP capable of leading a team to an NBA championship.
