The Warriors are mourning the death of Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic and their rookie Brandin Podziemski has payed his respects.
The 46-year-old Serbian coach died in Salt Lake City on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack during a private team dinner the night before.
The team were in Salt Lake City to play the Jazz on Wednesday night, but the NBA has postponed the game.
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing,” coach Steve Kerr said in a statement released by the team. “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.”
Shotting guard Podziemski mourned the loss of his coach in a post on X.
“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.”
Milojevic was in his third season with Golden State and before that had coached in Serbia as an assistant to the national team and worked with a young Nikola Jokic before he came to the US.
“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,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “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.”
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