Warriors Assistant Dejan Milojevic Passes Away
Jan 17, 2024, 10:26 AM | Updated: 1:33 pm
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic passed away after suffering a medical emergency in Salt Lake City.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the news Wednesday after the NBA announced it had postponed Wednesday’s game between the Warriors and the Utah Jazz.
“Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic had died. Milojevic, 46, was hospitalized Tuesday in SLC in critical condition,” Wojnarowski wrote. “After a decorated 15-year playing/coaching career, the Serbian native joined Warriors staff in 2021. He was a beloved figure in global and league circles.”
Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic had died. Milojevic, 46, was hospitalized Tuesday in SLC in critical condition. After a decorated 15-year playing/coaching career, the Serbian native joined Warriors staff in 2021. He was a beloved figure in global and league circles.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 17, 2024
Warriors Confirm Milojevic Passing
The Warriors confirmed Milosevic’s passing in a release from the organization.
Golden State head coach Steve Kerr shared his thoughts in the team’s release.
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing,” Kerr said. “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.”
NBA Announces Jazz, Warriors Postponed
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/guxyNJDUBP
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 17, 2024
“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 date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later date,” the NBA wrote in a statement at 10 a.m. (MST) on Thursday, January 17, 2024.
Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic was hospitalized
Early reports indicated that the medical emergency centered around Milojevic, the third-year Warriors assistant.
Golden State issued a statement that Milojevic was hospitalized last night in Salt Lake City after suffering a medical emergency at a private team dinner.
Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević (DAY-hahn mi-lo-yo-vihch) was hospitalized last night in Salt Lake City, Utah, after suffering a medical emergency at a private team dinner. An update on Milojević’s status will be provided as appropriate.
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) January 17, 2024
A native of Serbia, Milojevic was 46 years old.
When Milojevic was hired in 2021 to join the Warriors staff, it was his first opportunity in the NBA. Before joining Golden State, he was a head coach at Mega Basket from 2012-2020 and Buducnost in 2021.
Milojevic had a 15-year career professionally playing basketball overseas.
Tickets for Jazz/Warriors
The Utah Jazz issued a statement that any fans with tickets to tonight’s game will be honored for the rescheduled game against the Warriors once a date has been determined.
Golden State’s next scheduled game is Friday, January 19, against the Dallas Mavericks in San Francisco.
The Utah Jazz, currently on a six-game winning streak, return to play tomorrow night, Thursday, January 18, against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tip-off for that game is at 7 p.m. (MST) on channel 14 and the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM).
Follow KSL Sports Utah Jazz and NBA coverage on the KSL Sports app.