With the exception of Dario Saric and Kevon Looney, the Warriors have still not commented on the death of their assistant Dejan Milojevic. While the San Francisco Chronicle reports that many players are still in shock at having witnessed his discomfort in the middle of a meal, tributes are multiplying in the United States and Europe.
Presented as a formidable trainer after having had, under his orders, future NBA stars at Mega Basket, including Nikola Jokic, Dejan Milojevic first made a name for himself on the pitch, from 1994 to 2009.
A superb 15-year career crowned with three Adriatic League MVP titles, and a European champion title in 2001. Measured at 2m00, the late Warriors assistant was undoubtedly a little shorter, but he was very technical and very physical to find a place in the painting.
Read >> The Raptors system in tribute to Dejan Milojevic
“He was a huge competitor” remembers Nikola Vucevic. “He just gave it his all. He was small for a 4 or 5, but he made up for it with his playing intelligence and his effort. »
Questioned by the Mercury Newsjournalist Milos Jovanovic remembers him very well. “The coaches did not consider him as a 4 or a 5, but as a 6 because he could dominate anyone, in any position” confides our colleague. “ He was stronger than you in defense and rebounding. Watching him destroy his opponents when he was young, and I mean that in a positive way, was a very enriching experience because I never considered him to be an exceptional player from a talent point of view. But he made up for it all with his fighting spirit and he deserved every penny because he gave it his all. »
Nicknamed Charles Barkley by his coach
European champion in 2001 alongside Dejan Milojevic, former scorer Igor Rakocevic remembers their duo at Buducnost Podgorica. “The coach called us Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley” he says. “In Budućnost, we were among the youngest and we gave our all. Dejan worked like crazy and patiently waited for his chance. All his hard work quickly paid off, both at club and national team level. »
Our colleagues atEurohoops have unearthed a video dating from 2004. Dejan Milojevic had joined Partizan Belgrade, and he will sign the 2nd best evaluation in the history of the Euroleague! Against Olympiakos, the small interior had accumulated 35 points on 13/16 shots, 14 rebounds, 5 interceptions, 3 assists and no lost balls for an evaluation of 55. With victory at stake.
