Brazilian national basketball team forward Oscar Schmidt has died at the age of 68, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) reported.
Schmidt died on Friday, April 17. The hospital in the Brazilian city of Santana de Parnaíba said that his family had asked for privacy and would not release details.
He is survived by his wife, Maria Cristina Victorino, whom he married in 1981, and two children, Felipe and Stephanie. The basketball player battled a brain tumor for 15 years.
What records is Oscar Schmidt known for?
- Schmidt made his debut for Brazil at the age of 19 in 1977 and has since played 326 games for the national team, averaging 23.6 points per game. The forward played in five Olympic Games and four World Cups, becoming the all-time leading scorer in both tournaments.
- The basketball player became the Olympic Games record holder for 1,093 points, which he earned in 38 matches, and at the World Cups he brought the national team 906 points in 34 matches. Schmidt also holds the records for the most points in a game – 55 points in a match against Spain in 1988 at the Olympics and 52 points in a game against Australia in 1990 at the World Cup.
- The Brazilian retired at the age of 45 in 2003, after a career that spanned 29 years. Schmidt also surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time leading scorer, with 49,973 career points (including club and national team games). However, LeBron James broke that record in April 2024.
Schmidt was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. Brazilians called him “the holy hand” for his records and 19 years of playing for the national team. Schmidt also played in Brazil's historic victory over the United States in the final of the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, scoring 46 points.
“More than his results and medals, Oscar [Schmidt] embodied the values that define the Olympic spirit: dedication, resilience and respect for his opponents. In each competition, he brought with him not only talent, but also inspiration for all who believe in the power of sport and the Brazilian flag. His legacy remains alive on the courts and in the hearts he touched throughout his career,” wrote Marco Antonio la Porta, president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee.
“For decades, he united the country around the courts with unforgettable shots and unquestionable leadership,” wrote Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. “His dedication elevated the country's name and made him an inspiration to generations of athletes and sports fans.”