Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević, renowned for mentoring two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and a former basketball star in Serbia, passed away in Utah on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack, as confirmed by the team. A key part of the coaching staff that contributed to the Warriors’ 2022 NBA championship victory, Milojević, aged 46, faced a sudden medical emergency during a private team dinner the previous night in Salt Lake City. The NBA postponed the Warriors’ scheduled game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday in light of this tragic event. For more information about Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach Dejan Milojević read below.
Coach Steve Kerr expressed deep sorrow in a statement, stating, “Dejan’s sudden passing has absolutely devastated us.
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.”
Milojević, in his third season with the Warriors, had previously coached in Serbia, where he worked with a young Jokic before the latter’s transition to the United States. He also coached in Montenegro and served as an assistant coach for the Serbian national team alongside current Atlanta assistant Igor Kokoskov. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mourned Milojević’s sudden passing, recognizing him as a beloved colleague and distinguished figure in the global basketball community.
Known for his impactful coaching, Milojević collaborated with notable players like Jokic, Ivica Zubac, Goga Bitadze, and Boban Marjanovic during his coaching tenure in Europe. His coaching journey, spanning both the NBA and European leagues, left an indelible mark, and tributes from various corners of the basketball world poured in after his untimely death.
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Despite his exceptional playing career, marked by three consecutive MVP awards in the Adriatic League, Milojević’s legacy extended beyond the court. Kerr, who brought him into the Warriors’ coaching staff, emphasized Milojević’s positive impact both as a player and a coach, highlighting the significance of his basketball background.
The basketball community, including clubs like Valencia, where Milojević spent two seasons, and former players he coached, expressed their condolences and remembered him not only as a basketball master but also as an exceptional human being. The rescheduled date for the postponed Warriors-Jazz game is yet to be announced.
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