SAN ANTONIO — The basketball world was stunned to hear the sad news of the passing of Warriors assistant coach, Dejan Milojevic.
Milojevic, 46 years old, suffered a sudden heart attack at a team dinner in Utah Tuesday night and the NBA ultimately postponed Golden State's matchup versus the Jazz.
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan Milojevic’s sudden passing,” the Warriors said 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."
Milojevic has a connection to the San Antonio Spurs. In 2017, he served as a coach on the Spurs Summer League squad before landing with the Warriors' coaching staff.
"During that summer in 2017, I never really spent a whole lot of time with him. But I talked to a couple of people back in Belgrade today and they were devastated," Spurs' Gregg Popovich said ahead of the team's Wednesday night game versus Boston.
Popovich added: "Such a bright future. [It] was all there for him. I think this was his third year with Steve [Kerr] and he had everything going for him."
Milojovic served as the head coach for KK Mega Basket in his native, Belgrade, Spain from 2012-2020. He helped the Warriors win an NBA title over the Celtics in 2022.
"Obviously, a whole lot of people struggling with his family just devastated," Popovich said.
Milojevic's passing touched the entire NBA and Commissioner Amdam Silver released a statement on his passing.
"The NBA mourns the sudden passing of Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojević, a beloved colleague and dear friend to many in the global basketball community. In addition to winning the 2022 NBA championship in his first season with the Warriors and mentoring some of the best players in the world, Dejan had a decorated international playing career and was a distinguished head coach in his native Serbia. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Natasa, their children, Nikola and Masa, and the Warriors organization during this tragic time."
Milojevic played 15 years in Europe and captured three straight Adriatic League Most Valuable Player awards from 2004-06.
Follow us on X at @KENS5, and @JeffGSpursKENS5.