Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic dies after suffering heart attack

Jan 17, 2024, 12:59 PM | Updated: 1:49 pm

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 06: A detail of the Golden State Warriors uniform against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 06, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Sactown Sports

Early Wednesday, the NBA announced it was postponing that evening’s Jazz and Warriors game after Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic suffered a heart attack on Tuesday night during a team dinner.

Wednesday afternoon, the team announced Milojevic had passed away. He was 46 years old.

“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing,” Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr said in a press release. “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.”

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

Dejan Milojevic joined the Golden State Warriors during the 2021-22 season. Prior to that, he was the head coach of KK Budućnost in the Adriatic League in Montenegro.

Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown, who spent six seasons with the Warriors and one with Milojevic, said in a statement he’s “absolutely heartbroken by Dejan’s passing.”

“I had the pleasure of working with Dejan during my time with the Warriors. Not only was he an extremely talented coach, he was an even better person. I join the entire basketball community in grieving his loss. My thoughts are with his wife, Natasa, and their children, Nikola and Masa.”

The Utah Jazz, the team that the Warriors were going to play Wednesday night, also issued a statement, saying their thoughts are with Milojevic’s family, friends, and the Golden State organization.