Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević tragically dies of heart attack; game tonight will be rescheduled (Update: Friday game also to be rescheduled)
a great and beloved coach
Very sad news today. Assistant Coach Decky has passed away. He played a big role in developing Nikola Jokic, and closer to home for Dub Nation, guided Kevon Looney‘s transformation into a rebounding machine who made the difference in the 2022 title run. RIP Decky.
The Warriors released this press release:
Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević (DAY-ahn mi-lo-yo-vich) was hospitalized last night in Salt Lake City, Utah, after suffering a heart attack at a private team dinner. Despite life-saving efforts, Milojevic, 46, passed away late Wednesday morning. "We are absolutely devastated by Dejan's sudden passing," said Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr: "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. We grieve with and for his wife, Natasa, and their children, Nikola and Masa. Their loss is unfathomable."
Milojevic was in his third season as an assistant coach with the Warriors and was a member of the team's coaching staff during Golden State's run to the 2022 NBA Championship. Before joining the Warriors, Milojević spent the 2021 season as head coach of KK Buducnost in the Adriatic League in Montenegro.
Prior to KK Buduénost, Milojevié served as the head coach for KK Mega Basket in Belgrade, Serbia, for eight seasons (2012- 20). In December 2019, he was named an assistant coach for the Serbian national team under Igor Kokoskov. Milojevic was a member of the Atlanta Hawks Summer League staff in 2016, the San Antonio Spurs in 2017 and the Houston Rockets in 2018. A native of Belgrade, Milojevic enjoyed a 14-year international playing career and was named the Adriatic League Most Valuable Player three times (2004-06).
Tomorrow's game against the Mavs has been cancelled as well.
Nothing but best wishes and good thoughts for all involved. This is as heavy as it gets
Awful news today.. My deepest condolences to Coach Milojevic’s family and the Warriors organization..
https://twitter.com/MarkkanenLauri/status/1747724786082730174
Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown speaks about the memory of Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, whom he spent time with during his time with the organization. Milojevic passed away this morning in Salt Lake City.
https://twitter.com/SeanCunningham/status/1747750176746578181
Darko on Dejan Milojevic: “really tough day for the NBA community. My condolence go to the family of my close friend, who unfortunately passed away this morning. I knew him since I was a teenager. He was a role model, as a player, as a man, as a husband, as a coach.”
https://twitter.com/BlakeMurphyODC/status/1747752845430935947