Salt Lake City, Utah – Dejan Milojević, an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors known for his expertise in working with star centers, passed away at the age of 46. Milojević suffered a heart attack during a private team dinner in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, prompting the league to postpone the Warriors’ game against the Jazz. Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed deep sorrow over the sudden loss, acknowledging the impact on the entire basketball community and especially on Milojević’s family and friends.
Milojević, a former player in Europe who hailed from Serbia, gained recognition as a renowned big-man coach. He was widely acclaimed for his work with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, who has emerged as one of the most accomplished centers in NBA history. Milojević played a pivotal role in Jokić’s basketball development during their time together on the Mega Basket team from 2012 to 2015.
Milojević’s success extended beyond his work with Jokić. As the coach of Mega Basket from 2012 to 2020, he nurtured numerous players who went on to become NBA prospects. Eleven players from the Mega Basket program were selected in the NBA Draft, including five who successfully transitioned to the league: Jokić, Ivica Zubac, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, Vlatko Čančar, and Goga Bitadze.
In August 2021, Milojević joined the Golden State Warriors, primarily tasked with developing center James Wiseman. Wiseman, chosen as the second overall pick in the 2020 draft, displayed raw talent and a need for further refinement during his rookie season. However, the Warriors ultimately traded Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons in February 2023, as they no longer viewed him as their cornerstone player. Nonetheless, Milojević made a lasting impact on other members of the team, with forward Kevon Looney crediting the coach for improving his rebounding skills.
Prior to his time with the Warriors, Milojević also served on the staff of several NBA teams during the summer league. He worked with the Hawks in 2016, the Spurs in 2017, and the Rockets in 2018.
The league has not yet announced a new date for the postponed game between the Warriors and the Jazz, only stating that it will be rescheduled for a later time. The basketball community mourns the loss of Dejan Milojević, a dedicated coach whose impact reached far beyond the court.
Note: The photo accompanying this article is by Darren Yamashita / USA Today.