Remembering the Incredible Dejan Milojevic
Salt Lake City, Utah (PSF) — Positive. Always smiling. Joyous. Happy.
Loved.
Warriors Assistant Coach Dejan Milojevic, or Deki (affectionately coined by the players), was a special human being, and it showed by the glowing words of those who knew him. Wherever Milojevic, his positive impact was always apparent. He had a immensely positive impact on the Golden State Warriors, but an even bigger impact on the world of basketball.
Collectively, the NBA, his family, and the world mourn the loss of an incredible human being and a piece of their family. Dejan Milojevic’s immensely positive and influential legacy that he left behind, both on and off the court, will never be forgotten.
His previous coaching of some of the Serbian NBA players as the coach of the Serbian team Mega Vizura, including 2-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic, was regarded as critical for Jokic’s development. As Jokic blossomed into a star, and embarked on his stardom, Milojevic continued to keep him in his thoughts, evidenced by Nuggets Coach Michael Malone’s comment about Milojevic and his deep care for Jokic:
All the years later, and Dejan Milojevic was still vocally supporting Jokic, encouraging him, and telling him how proud he was. It speaks volumes to the character and nature of Milojevic, and how special of a human being he truly was.
Milojevic’s skill at developing frontcourt players led the Golden State Warriors to hire him in 2021 as an assistant coach.
Players eagerly listened to his coaching and knowledge. A power forward at 6’7”, and playing from 1998-2009, his immense knowledge of the game of basketball led to improvements from Kevon Looney that made him a key contributor to the 2021 and 2022 Warriors teams, through improvements as a rebounder.
The relationship he built with his players and fellow coaches was invaluable. At the high moments, his infectious smile would make the successes even better, as the proud smile of Milojevic on the courtside would beam like a proud father, watching their son grow before them. Their bond was as strong as family.
At basketball’s low moments, Milojevic would become a mentor — sternly and effectively coaching the frontcourt through his high level of basketball knowledge and deep understanding of the game at the highest level. His support for the players never wavered. Of course, it wasn’t all smiles behind the scenes, but when Dejan would coach the players, he would do it well and with passion.
Regardless of whether things were going well, or going bad, what remained constant was that Dejan Milojevic loved the game of basketball and the players he helped grow within the game.
It’s clear how much the organization as a whole loved Dejan Milojevic. Players loved him, coaches loved him, and everyone universally respected him as the complete package as a coach: a beautiful unity of a fantastic basketball mind and a fantastic person. He made just as big of an impact off the court as he did on the court.
Not only through this video, where Warriors Center Kevon Looney and Head Coach Steve Kerr talk so highly of him but players and coaches from around the league continue to shower him with praise and honor the legacy of the widespread, immensely positive impact Dejan Milojevic left behind,
Raptors Head Coach Darko Rajakovic: “Role model as a player, as a man, as a husband, as a coach.
Kings Head Coach Mike Brown: “A sweetheart of a Giant man”
Warriors Centers Kevon Looney and Dario Saric: “brother”
Jazz Head Coach Will Hardy: “One of the most joyous, happy, positive people… made a tremendous impact on everybody that he’s been around in his basketball life… the outpouring of support is because of the type of person he was”
Tributes from Luka Doncic, Jusuf Nurkic, Pau Gasol, Lauri Markkanen, and Andre Iguodola.
Touching the hearts of many with the how good of a person he was. Helping players visibly improve on the court. Supporting every person in his life with the most authentic and loving support possible. That is who Dejan Milojevic was.
For 2022, being a part of helping the Warriors recapture their title magic, thank you.
For helping the Warriors’ players improve immensely, thank you.
For being a positive role model, guiding mentor, and voice of support for the players we cheer for, thank you.
For always bringing infectious positive energy to the locker room, bench, and team itself, thank you.
For always smiling, whether things were good or bad. Thank you.
Thank you for everything, Coach.
Your legacy will never be forgotten. Gone far too soon, but you will live eternally in the hearts, thoughts, and prayers of all who love and appreciate you.
Rest peacefully, Dejan Milojevic.
Dejan Milojevic. Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE of Getty Images.
