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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The Golden State Warriors have been grappling with the loss of their beloved assistant coach, Dejan Milojević, who tragically passed away last Wednesday in Utah at the age of 46. Milojevic suffered a heart attack during a team dinner the night before, leading to the NBA postponing Golden State’s scheduled game against the Jazz that night and the home game against the Dallas Mavericks. Since the fateful moment, the team has been working to overcome the tragic loss.

Milojevic played a pivotal role in the Warriors’ success, contributing significantly to their resurgence as champions in 2022. His influence also extended beyond the court, playing crucial roles in player development and recruitment. As the Warriors convened to iron out details for their upcoming matchup and discuss ways to honor Dejan, Kerr emphasized the profound significance of the late coach.

Steve Kerr opens up on the tragic loss for the first time

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Now, after a somber five days, Steve Kerr has finally opened up about the heartbreaking incident. Kerr, visibly struggling to find the right words, expressed, “It’s hard to describe the week. Heartbreaking, devastating. It’s just the saddest thing I’ve ever been a part of in the NBA.” He extended gratitude to fans worldwide for their support during this challenging time and conveyed his heartfelt wishes to Milojevic’s grieving family.

Adding to the delicate narrative, Kerr went on to acknowledge a touching tribute in a Serbian basketball game. Coincidentally, both the team Dejan coached and the team he once played for orchestrated a monumental homage to the departed coach.

The Warriors are aligned to face the Atlanta Hawks next and are anticipated to take to the court. Talking about that, Kerr expressed a profound commitment to honor Dejan. Kerr stated, “We’ll be there to play a basketball game. We will find a way to mourn and grieve and play all in the same evening.”

What happened in the Serbian game?

In a poignant tribute, two of Dejan’s former teams joined forces. The event unfolded as Partizan hosted Mega, the club Dejan coached, fostering the development of over 10 NBA draft picks. The collaboration between these cross-town rivals held added significance, considering they typically clash only twice a year during the regular season, making the timing serendipitous.

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The honorary ceremony, lasting approximately 10 minutes, featured heartfelt video highlights showcasing Milojevic’s journey as both a player and coach. With his No. 13 jersey placed on a chair, the gesture prompted a prolonged standing ovation from the packed arena.

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Fans donned custom Black t-shirts, displaying their connection with Dejan by sporting his name on the back, while rhythmically chanting his last name for over three minutes. A large image of him was then hoisted in the stands.

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