Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic has died aged 46 after suffering a heart attack at a private team dinner.
The NBA club confirmed Milojevic passed away on Wednesday night (AEDT), having been hospitalised the previous night.
In a statement, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr paid tribute to his assistant.
Watch the latest sport on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>
“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 in unfathomable.”
The Warriors’ game in Utah against the Jazz on Thursday morning (AEDT) was postponed by the NBA when it learned of Milojevic’s hospitalisation.
“The date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later time,” the NBA said in a statement.
Milojevic had been with the Warriors since 2021 and was well regarded within the NBA and international basketball communities.
He worked closely with the team’s forwards and centres.
The Serbian also coached in Montenegro and Serbia, where he was closely associated with the early stages of two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic’s development.
In his own playing days, Milojevic was a 201cm power forward who was the Adriatic Basketball Association’s MVP three times, and scoring leader twice.