Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević has passed away at the age of 46 in Salt Lake City after suffering a heart attack during a private team dinner on Tuesday night. The team announced his death on Wednesday morning.

Milojević, who joined the Warriors in 2021, was highly regarded for his illustrious playing career and his role in developing NBA MVP Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets in his native Serbia. He focused on working with Warriors’ centers such as Kevon Looney, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Dario Šarić, contributing to Looney’s improved rebounding that played a part in the Warriors’ 2022 championship.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed deep sorrow in a team statement, describing Milojević’s sudden passing as a shocking and tragic blow. Kerr emphasized Milojević’s positive and uplifting nature, both as a coach and a person, bringing joy and light to every day. The Warriors’ game against the Jazz, scheduled for Wednesday night, was postponed indefinitely.

Milojević, born in Belgrade, Serbia, had a remarkable 14-year playing career in Europe, earning three Adriatic League MVP awards and representing Serbia and Montenegro internationally. He served as the head coach of the Serbian team Mega Vizura from 2012 to 2020, overseeing the development of numerous NBA-drafted players, including Jokić and Ivica Zubac.

Describing Milojević as the best European power forward from 2003 to 2008, Serbian basketball podcaster Miroslav Ćuk highlighted his dominance on the boards and low-post skills. Milojević’s coaching style was noted for being personable and positive, inspiring his players to work hard and improve their game.

The Warriors will return to the Bay Area on Wednesday evening, and the game against the Jazz has been postponed. Warriors players and coaches, though silent publicly, shared remembrances of Milojević on social media. Rookie Brandin Podziemski paid tribute to the coach, emphasizing the positive impact Milojević had on his life and expressing gratitude for his infectious joy and laughter.