Dejan Milojevic Age, Wife, Children, Biography, Net Worth, Death, Family & More
Dejan Milojevic (born 15 April 1977 – died 17 January 2024, Aged: 46 years old), a former Serbian basketball player and coach, who was an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA, died of a heart attack on January 17, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 46.
He was with his team for a dinner party, before their scheduled game against the Utah Jazz, which was later postponed by the NBA. His sudden and tragic death shocked and saddened the basketball world, as he was widely respected and admired for his achievements and contributions to the sport.
Early Life & Background
Dejan was born on April 15, 1977, in Belgrade, Serbia, which was then part of Yugoslavia. He started playing basketball at a young age and joined the youth system of Beovuk, a local club. He made his professional debut in 1994, at the age of 17, and soon attracted the attention of bigger clubs.
He played for FMP, Buducnost, and Partizan in the Yugoslav League, as well as for Pamesa Valencia in Spain, and Galatasaray in Turkey. He was a versatile and dominant power forward, who could score, rebound, and pass with ease. He was nicknamed “The Balkan Barkley”, after the NBA legend Charles Barkley, for his similar style and physique.
Dejan Milojević Wiki/Bio
| Name | Dejan Milojević |
| Born | April 15, 1977 |
| Died | January 17, 2024 |
| Nationality | Serbian |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Weight | 254 lb (115 kg) |
| Position | Power forward |
| Number | 13, 31 |
| NBA draft | 1999: undrafted |
| Playing career | 1994–2009 |
| Coaching career | 2012–2024 |
| dejanmilojevic | |
| Wikipedia | Dejan_Miloj |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Playing Career
Milojevic won many individual and team honors in his playing career, which spanned 14 years. He was a three-time champion and a one-time cup winner of the Yugoslav League, a two-time champion of the Adriatic League, and a one-time champion of the Turkish League. He was also a three-time MVP a two-time top scorer of the Adriatic League, and a one-time member of the All-Europe Second Team. He also represented the national team of Serbia and Montenegro and won the gold medal at the EuroBasket 2001, where he was the tournament’s second-best rebounder.
Milojevic had a brief stint in the NBA in 1999 when he was invited to the training camp of the Denver Nuggets, but he was not drafted or signed by any team. He later said that he regretted not pursuing his NBA dream more aggressively and that he felt he could have played in the league if he had a better agent or more luck.
Coaching Career
Milojevic retired from playing basketball in 2009 and became a coach in 2012. He took over the helm of Mega Basket, a Serbian club that competed in the Adriatic League. He quickly established himself as one of the best young coaches in Europe, and led Mega Basket to their first trophy, the Serbian Cup, in 2016, as well as their first appearance in the Adriatic League finals. He also developed and mentored many talented players, who went on to play in the NBA or other top leagues, such as Nikola Jokic, Ivica Zubac, Goga Bitadze, and Vasilije Micic.
In 2021, Milojevic left Mega Basket and joined Buducnost, another Serbian club, as their head coach. He led them to second place in the Adriatic League, and the semifinals of the EuroCup, before resigning in June 2021. He then accepted an offer from the Golden State Warriors, to become their assistant coach under Steve Kerr, and work with some of the best players in the world, such as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. He helped the Warriors win the NBA championship in his first season, in 2022 and was part of their coaching staff until his death.
Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Dejan Milojevic was a Serbian basketball player and coach, who stood at 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) and weighed around 254 lb (115 kg). He played as a power forward and was known for his strength, agility, and versatility on the court. He was nicknamed “The Balkan Barkley”, after the NBA legend Charles Barkley, for his similar style and physique.
Wife & Kids
Milojevic was married to Natasa Milojevic, and they had two children, Nikola and Masa. Dejan and Natasa met in Belgrade and dated for several years before tying the knot. They had a private and low-key wedding ceremony, attended by their close family and friends. They were a happy and loving couple and supported each other in their careers and personal lives.
Dejan and Natasa raised their children with discipline and ethics and encouraged them to pursue their passions and interests. Nikola and Masa were both interested in basketball and followed their father’s footsteps. They played for their school and club teams and showed great potential and talent. Dejan was a proud and caring father and often attended their games and practices. He also coached and mentored them, and shared his wisdom and experience with them.
Parents & Siblings
Dejan Milojevic was born in Belgrade, Serbia, which was then part of Yugoslavia, to Milan and Dragana Milojevic. He was their only child, and they loved him dearly. They were a middle-class family and lived in the suburb of Padinska Skela. They faced many hardships and challenges, due to the political and economic turmoil in their country, but they remained strong and resilient.
Dejan’s parents were both sports enthusiasts and introduced him to various sports, such as boxing, karate, and basketball. They supported his passion and talent for basketball, and enrolled him in a local club, KK Tasmajdan, when he was 13 years old. They also provided him with the best education and opportunities they could afford and encouraged him to pursue his dreams and goals.
Controversies
Dejan Milojevic was a respected and admired figure in the basketball world and did not have many controversies or scandals in his career or personal life. He was known for his professionalism, integrity, and excellence in the sport, as well as for his kindness, humility, and generosity as a person. He had a good reputation and relationship with his colleagues, players, and fans, and avoided any conflicts or disputes with them.
However, Milojevic did face some criticism and challenges in his career, especially as a coach. Some of his decisions and strategies were questioned or opposed by some of his club owners, managers, or supporters, who had different expectations or visions for the team. He also had to deal with some pressure and stress from the media and the public, who scrutinized his performance and results.
Death Cause
Milojevic died on January 17, 2024, after suffering a heart attack during a team dinner in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the Warriors were supposed to play the Jazz the next day. He was rushed to a hospital, but could not be saved. He is survived by his wife, Natasa, and their two children, Nikola and Masa.
Legacy and Tributes
Milojevic’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and condolences from the basketball community, both in Serbia and abroad. He was praised for his passion, dedication, and excellence in the sport, as well as for his kindness, humility, and generosity as a person. Many former and current players, coaches, and officials expressed their sorrow and admiration for him and shared their memories and stories of him.
The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, also released a statement, saying that the NBA mourned the loss of Milojevic, who was “a distinguished head coach in his native Serbia, and a valued member of the Warriors’ championship-winning staff”. He also said that Milojevic was “a dear friend to so many in the global basketball community”, and that he would be “greatly missed”.
Funeral & Obituary
Milojevic’s funeral was held on January 21, 2024, in Belgrade, Serbia, and was attended by thousands of people, including his family, friends, colleagues, and fans. He was buried at the New Cemetery, next to other Serbian basketball legends, such as Drazen Dalipagic, Zarko Paspalj, and Zeljko Obradovic.
Milojevic is widely regarded as one of the best Serbian basketball players and coaches of all time, and one of the most influential figures in the sport. He left behind a rich legacy of excellence, innovation, and inspiration, and a lasting impact on the basketball world. He will always be remembered and cherished by those who knew him, played with him, or learned from him.
Dejan Milojevic was a Serbian basketball player and coach, who died of a heart attack on January 17, 2024, at the age of 46. He played as a power forward for various clubs in Serbia, Spain, and Turkey, and won many individual and team awards, such as the EuroBasket gold medal in 2001, and the Adriatic League MVP three times.
He coached Mega Basket, Buducnost, and the Golden State Warriors, and developed and mentored many talented players, such as Nikola Jokic, Ivica Zubac, Goga Bitadze, and Vasilije Micic. He won the NBA championship with the Warriors in 2022. He was praised for his passion, dedication, and excellence in basketball, as well as for his kindness, humility, and generosity as a person. He was mourned and honored by the basketball community, both in Serbia and abroad.
