Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević has died, the National Basketball Association (NBA) club said after the Serbian native suffered a heart attack during a team dinner.

The 46-year-old Milojević was in his third season with Golden State after helping the team win the 2022 NBA championship.

"We are absolutely devastated by Dejan's sudden passing," said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

"This is a shocking and tragic blow for everyone associated with the Warriors and an incredibly difficult time for his family, friends, and all of us who had the incredible pleasure to work with him.

"In addition to being a terrific basketball coach, Dejan was one of the most positive and beautiful human beings I have ever known, someone who brought joy and light to every single day with his passion and energy."

The Warriors said Milojević was taken to a Salt Lake City hospital on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack at a private team dinner but, despite life-saving efforts, died late on Wednesday morning, local time.

Earlier, the NBA announced that the Warriors' game at the Utah Jazz scheduled for Wednesday night had been postponed because of a "medical emergency in the Warriors family" and that a makeup date would be announced at a later time.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver described Milojević as "a beloved colleague and dear friend to so many".

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Natasa, their children, Nikola and Masa, and the Warriors organization during this tragic time," he said in a statement.

Before joining the Warriors, Milojević spent the 2021 season as head coach of Buducnost in the Adriatic League in Montenegro. Prior to that role, he was head coach for Mega Basket in Belgrade, Serbia, for eight seasons.

In December 2019, Milojević was named an assistant coach for the Serbian national team under Igor Kokoskov.

Milojević also enjoyed a 14-year international playing career and was named the Adriatic League Most Valuable Player three times from 2004 to 2006.

Reuters/ABC