In a shocking and tragic turn of events, Dejan Milojević, the assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, has died at the age of 46. Known for his exceptional work with star centers, 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.

The news of Milojević's passing has left the entire Warriors organization devastated. Head coach Steve Kerr expressed his grief, describing it as a "shocking and tragic blow" for everyone associated with the team. He extended his condolences to Milojević's family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of working with him.

Hailing from Serbia, Milojević had a successful basketball career in Europe, playing for 15 years. However, he gained significant recognition as a big-man coach, particularly for his work with Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets star who is already considered one of the greatest centers of all time. Milojević coached Jokić during their time together at Mega Basket from 2012 to 2015 and played a pivotal role in his foundational basketball development.

Milojević's influence extended beyond just Jokić. During his tenure as the head coach of Mega Basket from 2012 to 2020, 11 of his former players were selected in the NBA Draft, with five successfully making the leap to the NBA. These players included Jokić, Ivica Zubac, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, Vlatko Čančar, and Goga Bitadze, showcasing the impact of Milojević's coaching abilities and talent development.

In August 2021, Milojević joined the Golden State Warriors, primarily tasked with working alongside center James Wiseman. Wiseman, the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, displayed potential but required further development. Despite the Warriors trading Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons in February 2023, Milojević continued his work with other players, notably helping to improve the rebounding skills of Golden State forward Kevon Looney.

Prior to his time with the Warriors, Milojević had also been part of various NBA summer league staffs, including the Hawks in 2016, the Spurs in 2017, and the Rockets in 2018, further showcasing his expertise and experience in the league.

The NBA has not announced a new date for the postponed game between the Warriors and the Jazz, stating that it will be rescheduled for a "later time." As the basketball community mourns the loss of a talented coach, Dejan Milojević's legacy as a coach and mentor will undoubtedly be remembered.