SUMMARY
- The former assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors, Dejan Milojević, died at the age of 46 due to a heart attach at a team dinner.
- Darko Rajaković dedicated his team the Toronto Raptors' after-timeout (ATO) play and their win against the Heat to Dejan Milojević.
Dejan Milojević was undeniably among the most popular coaches in the NBA. He made an everlasting impact despite joining the league just a few years ago. Recently, the news of Milojević’s sudden death broke down and left the basketball world shocked to its core. Since then, fans, coaches, players, etc have paid their condolences and expressed their grief.
Among them is the head coach of the Toronto Raptors Darko Rajaković. He dedicated after-timeout (ATO) play and their win to the late Milojević. This was undeniably one of the heartfelt ways to honor the life and career of the former assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors. Notably, Milojević was rushed to the hospital on January 16, 2024, after having a heart attack during a team dinner. He breathed his last on the morning of the next day.
Bigger than basketball 🥺
The Raptor’s head coach Darko Rajakovic ran Toronto’s opening play out of Dejan Milojevic’s playbook. The Raptors scored on it.
“That was Deki’s play”
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) January 18, 2024
Milojević left his family of three behind which includes his wife, Natasa Milojević, and kids, Nikola and Masa. As of now, his family hasn’t posted any statement as they are likely processing the huge loss and taking care of the last rituals. Furthermore, the NBA postponed the Warriors’ next two games so that they could mourn the loss. On the other hand, the rest of the teams resumed their scheduled regular games.
Rajaković’s team the Raptors claimed victory against the Heat. In the post-game conference, he revealed, “The opening play of the game was an ATO that Deki, my friend, I learned that play from him.” Rajaković continued to talk about how that is one of the things that he brought to the league. “That was our opening play tonight and we were able to score on that one.”, the head coach added.
Darko Rajaković has known Dejan Milojević since he was a teenager
In the same press conference, Darko Rajaković spoke about how it is a really tough day for the NBA community as Dejan Milojević tragically passed away at the age of 46. Furthermore, he also revealed that he has known Milojević since he was a teenager. Rajaković said, “Really tough day for the NBA community. I knew Dejan since I was a teenager.”
He continued to talk about how the former coach was a role model as a player, as a man, as a husband as a coach. Rajaković emphasized that Milojević was someone he admired and gave a lot of respect to. Notably, the late Dejan Milojević’s journey has truly been a remarkable one. He had an impressive 15-year-long playing career during which he represented the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Serbia, and Montenegro leagues.
Furthermore, after winning the Adriatic League MVP title three times in a row and leaving a legacy, Milojević decided to change his career path. In 2009, he was appointed as the head coach for the Mega Basket of the Adriatic Basketball Association. Fast-forward to 2021, Milojević debuted in the NBA as the assistant coach and made his presence felt as he played an important role in the Warriors winning the ring in 2022.