Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach Dejan Milojević Passes Away at 46
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević at the age of 46. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN broke the news on Wednesday afternoon, sending shockwaves throughout the basketball community.
Milojević had been taken to a hospital in Salt Lake City after experiencing a sudden and serious health issue during a team dinner the previous night. The Warriors’ game against the Nuggets was subsequently postponed due to the situation. According to Serbian website Meridian Sport, Milojević’s cause of death was a heart attack.
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr 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.”
Milojević, a former player himself, had an illustrious career in Europe before joining the Warriors as an assistant coach in 2021. He had been the head coach of Mega Vizura in his home country Serbia from 2012 to 2021 and briefly coached Budućnost in Montenegro before making the move to the NBA.
Known as a superstar in Europe, Milojević had a 15-year career that spanned across Serbia, Montenegro, Spain, and Turkey. He was a three-time ABA Adriatic MVP from 2003 to 2006 and was also renowned for training five-time NBA All-Star Nikola Jokić. Milojević won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022.
The basketball world mourns the loss of a beloved coach and mentor. Tributes have poured in from his former teams, Valencia and Galatasaray, as well as from fans and colleagues across the globe.
“Dejan Milojević, the golden representative of our country, the adored personality of Serbian basketball, a man with the widest smile and enormous strength, a big heart stopped beating in the distant and cold Salt Lake City. Never colder, that January 17, 2024,” reads an in memoriam about Milojević on Meridian Sport.
As the news of Milojević’s passing spreads, the basketball community comes together to remember his contributions to the game and the impact he had on those around him. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players and coaches. Rest in peace, Dejan Milojević.
