A heart attack at team dinner claimed the life of Warriors assistant Dejan Milojević, 46; the team’s game against the Jazz has been postponed.
In a statement released by the organization, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said, “We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing.” “For all of us who had the great pleasure of working with him, as well as his family and friends, this is a shocking and tragic blow.
It is also a very trying time.” Dejan was not just an amazing basketball coach but also one of the most optimistic and lovely people I have ever met. His enthusiasm and drive made every day brighter and happier. We are in deep sorrow for his spouse, Natasa, as well as their kids, Nikola and Masa. Their death is incomprehensible.”
The Warriors’ game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Wednesday was postponed by the NBA because of Milojević’s medical condition earlier in the day.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Warriors staff members remained in the hospital until late Tuesday night and went back on Wednesday to be with Milojević.
Serbian basketball player Milojević was a lifelong player. He played professionally for 14 years, spending time in Serbia, Spain, Montenegro, and Turkey. In 1994, he began playing professionally, and in 2009, knee problems caused him to quit.
A few years later, he began his coaching career, serving as an overseas coach from 2012 to 2021, when he became a member of Kerr’s staff. Additionally, Milojević worked as an assistant with the Houston Rockets in 2018 and the San Antonio Spurs in 2017.