Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up
All Scores
Odds by

Golden State assistant Dejan Milojevic dies at 46; NBA postpones Warriors vs. Jazz

Houston Rockets v Golden State Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic looks on before the game against the Houston Rockets on February 24, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic has died of a sudden medical issue at the age of 46, the team has confirmed.

“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan Milojević's sudden passing,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr 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. 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.”

The NBA postponed Wednesday night’s Golden State Warriors game at the Utah Jazz in the wake of Milojevic’s passing.

“The NBA mourns the sudden passing of Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojević, a beloved colleague and dear friend to so many in the global basketball community,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “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.”

The Warriors staff was at the hospital with Milojevic, 46, who had to be rushed there Tuesday night from a Salt Lake City restaurant where his medical issue started, the Warriors had said. Both players and members of the coaching staff were with Milojevic when the health issues suddenly arose, reports Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Warriors staff stayed with him as long as they were allowed on Tuesday night then returned Wednesday morning.

Milojevic is well known in international coaching circles. A native of Belgrade, Milojevic had a 14-year playing career internationally before turning to coaching, and he was a three-time MVP of the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA). He moved into coaching after he retired and was the head coach of Mega Basket in the ABA when a young Nikola Jokic was there early in his career, and Milojevic still has a very close relationship with the NBA MVP and champion.

This was his third season on the Warriors bench and he had a championship ring from being with the team during its 2022 title run.

No date for the postponed game to be replayed has been set.