A Golden State Warriors coach has died in Salt Lake
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A Golden State Warriors coach died Wednesday in Salt Lake City after experiencing a “sudden and serious health issue” Tuesday evening after the team arrived in Utah, according to ESPN senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
Assistant coach Dejan Milojevic was dining with players and fellow coaches when he became unwell, Wojnarowski reported for ESPN. He was hospitalized, and the NBA decided Wednesday morning to postpone a scheduled game between the Warriors and Utah Jazz.
“The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz has been postponed due to a medical emergency in the Warriors family,” the league’s statement said.
The Warriors released a statement on Milojevic Wednesday afternoon.
“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 with and for his wife, Natasa, and their children, Nikola and Masa,” the statement said.
The Jazz also released a statement Wednesday.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire Warriors family during this difficult time. Milojević was a well-respected and beloved member of the NBA family. We join the Warriors, the NBA, and basketball fans everywhere in mourning this incredible loss. He will be greatly missed,” it said.
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/9wAyb1JXz8— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 17, 2024
Who was Dejan Milojevic?
Milojevic, 46, had been on the Golden State Warriors’ coaching staff since 2021, per ESPN.
Milojevic, a Serbian, coached for a Serbian team called Mega Vizura and for the Serbian national team before joining Steve Kerr’s staff in California.
ESPN reported that he was “a well-regarded and popular coach in the NBA and international basketball communities. He (had) a strong relationship with fellow Serbian Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.”
Milojevic transitioned to coaching after spending 15 years as a professional basketball player. He played in Serbia, Spain, Montenegro and Turkey, ESPN reported.
John Hollinger, senior NBA columnist for The Athletic, was among those to share kind words about Milojevic on X after news of his health issue broke.
“Every overseas scout went through Belgrade and got to know Dejan Milojevic when he coached Mega, he’s a great guy who always took care of us. Hoping he makes a quick recovery,” Hollinger said.
Here are other reactions to news of Milojevic’s hospitalization and death:
I’m incredibly sad to hear this. Sending all of the incredible people in the Warriors organization lots of love right now, but, most of all, feeling heartbroken for his family https://t.co/TIMPZx6dfv
— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) January 17, 2024
Devastating. Sending so much love to everyone that knew him and loved him. This is so terribly sad.
I’m so sad for Nikola Jokić. I’m so sad for Oggy Stojaković. I’m so sad for all the people whose lives Dejan had an impact on. He will be remembered 🤍 https://t.co/qLCC6j5iZ5— Katy Winge (@katywinge) January 17, 2024
Rescheduled Jazz-Warriors game
The Jazz-Warriors game was scheduled to start Wednesday at 7 p.m. MST. The NBA has not chosen a make-up date yet.
“The date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later time,” the league’s statement said.
The Utah Jazz said in a Wednesday statement that tickets for the now-postponed game will be honored on the make-up date.
