Tragic News As Warriors Coach Passes Away

Devastating news in the NBA on Wednesday, as Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic has passed away after suffering a sudden heart attack at a team dinner Tuesday night. He was just 46.

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

Milojevic, from Serbia, has been with the Warriors coaching staff since 2021. As noted by Adrian Wojnarowski, "he was a beloved figure in global and league circles."

We are absolutely devastated by Dejan Milojević's sudden passing.

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.

We grieve… pic.twitter.com/0wExlLlu5z

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 17, 2024

"We are absolutely devastated by Dejan's sudden passing," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said in a team 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."

Milojevic was rushed to hospital from the private team meal Tuesday night in Salt Lake City, where the Warriors were set to play the Utah Jazz. Today's game has been cancelled. His family flew to Utah on Wednesday morning.

He was known around the league for his work with star centers. In fact, in his earlier career in Serbia, ESPN notes that he was closely associated with the early development of two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. In San Francisco, Milojevic worked with the Dubs forwards and centers in his assistant's role. 

"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," Kerr said in his statement. "We grieve with and for his wife, Natasa, and their children, Nikola and Masa. Their loss is unfathomable."

As noted by Kerr, Milojevic leaves behind a wife and two children.

RIP and condolences to Milojevic's family and friends. 

 Photo: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports