In a shocking turn of events, Dejan Milojević passed away on Wednesday, January 17. He was 46. Milojević, who was the Golden State Warriors assistant coach, suffered a medical episode during a team dinner and was hospitalized in Salt Lake City on Tuesday night. His sudden demise triggered an outpouring of grief from the NBA community, including from the likes of Andre Iguodala.

“Saddened by the loss of my brother Dejan Milojevic. Amazing HUMAN BEING! Sending condolences and prayers to his families. May he rest in peace,” he wrote on X. The 46-year-old was on the coaching staff of the Warriors since 2021, when Iggy had returned to Dub Nation and won his fourth championship with Milojević.

The team has kept details about Milojević’s medical episode private but several reports indicate that he suffered a heart attack. The Warriors were scheduled to play the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on Wednesday but the game has been postponed.

Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, said in a statement by the team, “We are absolutely devasted by Dejan’s sudden passing. This is a shocking and tragic blow for everyone associated with the Warriors and incredibly difficult time for his family, friends, and all of us who had the incredible pleasure to work with him.” Kerr also stated that he is survived by his wife, Natasa, and children, Niola and Masa.

It was Kent Lacob, the son of Warriors owner Joe Lacob, who recommended Milojević for the job. It took Steve Kerr some effort to convince Dejan to join them in 2021. “I immediately saw what Kent was talking about,” Kerr said in a 2023 interview. “It made so much sense for us to bring Deki in.” 

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The league’s commissioner, Adam Silver, also expressed his condolences on behalf of the NBA. Besides commending Milojević winning the championship in his first season with the Warriors, he also hailed him for mentoring some of the most decorated players in the league right now.

Dejan Milojević remembered by his mentees

In a 14-year playing career, the Belgrade native played in Serbia, Montenegro, Spain and Turkey. Milojević was a 6’7″ force in the Adriatic League from 2004 to 2006 when he was the MVP of the ABA for three straight years.

He went on to coach a number of teams in Europe, including his native Serbia. While on the national team, he mentored two-time MVP, Nikola Jokic. He and Warriors’ Dario Saric both held the same MVP title in the ABA as their late coach.

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Several Europeans in the NBA have been Milojevic’s proteges, including Clippers‘ Ivica Zubac, Houston Rockets‘ Boban Marjanovic, and Goga Bitadze from the Orlando Magic.

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His initial coaching career in the NBA began with the Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, and the Houston Rockets. Several teams paid tribute to the coach and even Milojevic’s former teams expressed their grief.