A heartbroken Warriors rookie reacted on social media to the death of Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojević.
The 46-year-old Serbian coach died after he suffered what the team called a medical emergency on Tuesday night in Salt Lake City during a Warriors team dinner.
Shooting guard Brandin Podziemski mourned the loss of his coach on X after the news had been reported Wednesday afternoon.
“You changed my life in such a short time,” Podziemski wrote. “The most important thing you ever told me was to just smile! Your joy and laughs will forever be missed. Shine down on us from heaven. Rest In Peace Dejan Milojević.”
Milojević was taken to a Salt Lake City hospital after the medical emergency and a post on X by Serbia men’s pro basketball team, BC Crvena zvezda Meridianbet, attributed his death to a heart attack.
The NBA postponed Wednesday’s scheduled game against the Jazz to a later date.
“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,” 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 Massa, and the Warriors organization during this tragic time.”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr paid tribute to Milojević as well in a statement that was released by the team.
“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,” Kerr said.
Other NBA teams have also released statements of condolences since the news of Milojević’s passing, including the Nets.
“The Brooklyn Nets join the NBA family in mourning the loss of Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević. Our thoughts are with the Warriors organization, his family, and all who loved him,” the team said.
This had been Milojević’s third season as an assistant coach with the Warriors and was part of the 2022 staff when the Warriors captured the NBA title.
Prior to that he served as head coach of KK Budućnost in the Adriatic League in Montenegro during the 2021 season and was the head coach of KK Mega Basket in his native, Belgrade from 2012 to 2020.
Milojević had a 15-year playing career in Europe.