Oscar Schmidt, the legendary Brazilian basketball player, has passed away at 68. He was known for his prolific scoring and iconic performances, including a historic win against the USA in the 1987 Pan American Games.
Key points
Oscar Schmidt passed away at age 68.
He was a prolific scorer in basketball history.
Schmidt led Brazil to victory over the USA in the 1987 Pan American Games.
He declined an NBA career to focus on the Brazilian national team.
Kobe Bryant idolized Schmidt during his youth.
Mentioned in this story
Oscar SchmidtKobe Bryant
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - DECEMBER 10: Oscar Daniel Bezerra Schmidt, the former Brazilian basketball player considered one of the greatest of all time, receives the trophy Adhemar Ferreira da Silva during the ceremony of Brazil Olympics 2019 Awards at Cidade das Artes on December 10, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Oscar Schmidt turned down an opportunity to pursue an NBA career, instead prioritizing his time with the Brazilian national team and still became one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
(Buda Mendes via Getty Images)
Oscar Schmidt authored a 46-point performance in the final of the 1987 Pan American Games, leading Brazil to a historic victory over the United States in a game that partly precipitated the formation of the “Dream Team.”
Schmidt, a 6-foot-9 forward with a 3-point stroke that was ahead of its time, earned the nickname of the “Holy Hand,” or “Mão Santa” in Portuguese. The late Kobe Bryant idolized him growing up in Italy, where Schmidt played against Bryant’s father.
A Basketball Hall of Famer with international influence despite never playing in the NBA, Schmidt’s legacy is undeniable. It’s being rightfully echoed this weekend after Schmidt died Friday at the age of 68.
Schmidt’s family said in a statement that he battled a brain tumor for 15 years “with courage, dignity and resilience … while remaining a role model of determination, generosity and love of life. Oscar leaves a legacy that transcends sport and inspires generations of athletes and admirers in Brazil and worldwide.”
Q&A
What were Oscar Schmidt's major achievements in basketball?
Oscar Schmidt was known for being one of the greatest scorers in basketball history, leading Brazil to victory over the USA in the 1987 Pan American Games with a 46-point performance.
Why did Oscar Schmidt decline an NBA career?
Oscar Schmidt prioritized his commitment to the Brazilian national team over pursuing an NBA career, which ultimately shaped his legacy in international basketball.
How did Oscar Schmidt influence future basketball players?
Oscar Schmidt's unique playing style and scoring ability inspired many players, including Kobe Bryant, who idolized him during his youth in Italy.
What was the nickname given to Oscar Schmidt and why?
Oscar Schmidt was nicknamed the 'Holy Hand' or 'Mão Santa' due to his exceptional shooting skills, particularly his 3-point shooting that was ahead of its time.
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That message was relayed by members of the basketball community on Friday.
“I always admired Oscar and considered him a friend, he was, without a doubt, one of the greatest players to ever play the game,” said fellow Hall of Famer Larry Bird in a statement circulated by the NBA.
“It was an honor of a lifetime when Oscar asked me to present him at his well deserved induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. My sincere condolences to Oscar’s family.”
Schmidt was inducted into the Hall in 2013. He played in a record-tying five straight Olympics, appearing in every Summer Games from 1980-96. He’s responsible for seven of the 10 highest-scoring outings in Olympic men’s basketball history. Fittingly, he’s the Games’ all-time leading scorer.
By the time he retired in 2003, he was 45 years old and was unofficially considered the highest scorer in basketball history with 49,737 points across his club and national team appearances. LeBron James surpassed him in that category in 2024.
The then-New Jersey Nets selected Schmidt in the sixth round of a 1984 NBA Draft that was headlined by Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley.
At the time, Schmidt explained that, despite his frustration about dropping that far in the draft, he showed up to Nets training camp with something to prove: that he belonged. He felt like he accomplished that goal in preseason competition.
“I go there and said to the coach, ‘Coach, here’s one point a minute,’” Schmidt recalled. “If you give me 20 minutes, I’ll give you 20 points. We played five games … . They gave me 25 minutes, I gave him 25 points. They become crazy about me.”
Back then, there was a FIBA rule that prevented NBA players from representing their national team.
“For me, national team was first one,” Schmidt said emphatically in the interview with Torre. “National team, you represent a country.”
Later, Schmidt humorously made something clear to the camera: “I never played in the NBA because I didn’t want to play in the NBA — because New Jersey Nets drafted me in the sixth round. Choice 131. That’s why I never played in the NBA. Because I got offended with that.”
International players weren’t populating NBA rosters like they are today. Schmidt’s dominance overseas, and especially in the Olympics, cast a more luminous light on foreign players and their NBA-caliber skill sets.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who lent a smooth-shooting hand to five NBA championship teams before coaching the league’s all-time leading 3-point marksman, discussed Schmidt Friday before the Warriors’ play-in tournament loss to the Phoenix Suns.
“I want to give my condolences to Oscar Schmidt’s family,” Kerr said pregame, via The Athletic.
“… He was one of the greatest shooters I’ve ever seen in my life. Just no conscience, a little bit of the Steph Curry mentality. Never, ever thought twice about letting it fly. Just a beautiful player with an incredible mentality.”
Kerr shared a story about him tearing an ACL in 1986. He sustained the injury in the semifinals of the FIBA world championships in Madrid that year. Kerr was playing for Team USA against Brazil.
Schmidt came to his assistance.
“He literally picked me up, carried me off the floor,” Kerr said, per The Athletic. “It was an incredible gesture on his part, and over the next few years, he really exploded.”
Schmidt put up video game numbers in international play. In between, he starred in Europe and South America. His star shone so bright it was, and will always be, seen by the NBA.
