Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic has died at the age of 46 after suffering a heart attack.
Serbian Milojevic fell ill at a private team dinner on Tuesday and was taken to hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Warriors said, external that “despite life-saving efforts”, Milojevic passed away late on Wednesday morning.
Head coach Steve Kerr said his assistant, who was born in Belgrade, “brought joy and light to every single day with his passion”.
Describing the news as a “shocking and tragic blow”, Kerr said Milojevic was “one of the most positive and beautiful human beings” he had ever known. He added: “We grieve with and for his wife Natasa, and their children, Nikola and Masa.
“Their loss is unfathomable.” Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the Warriors added that they are “absolutely devastated” by Milojevic's sudden passing.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Milojevic was a “beloved colleague and dear friend to so many in the global basketball community”. The former professional player joined Golden State in 2021 and was part of the coaching staff that led the Warriors to the NBA title in 2022.
Milojevic was part of the Serbia team for 14 years and became assistant coach of the national side in December 2019. He also had a spell as head coach of KK Buducnost in the Adriatic League in Montenegro before his move to the United States with the Warriors three years ago.
The Warriors were scheduled to play at the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, but the NBA postponed the game when the news of Milojevic's medical emergency was released. Nine games did take place across the NBA on Wednesday, with tributes and silences held for Milojevic.
The Warriors are scheduled to face the Dallas Mavericks at 03:00 GMT on Saturday.
— CutC by bbc.com
