Former scoring champion Schmidt passes away! Inducted into three major Halls of Fame, still holds two significant records.

On April 18 Beijing time, Hall of Fame basketball player Oscar Schmidt, revered by Brazilians as "Holy Hand," passed away on Friday local time at the age of 68.

Schmidt's family released a statement stating that he battled a brain tumor courageously for 15 years, always brave, dignified, and resilient, living a life of perseverance, generosity, and passion, serving as an example to the world.

"The legacy Oscar leaves has long transcended sports, inspiring generations of athletes and sports enthusiasts in Brazil and globally."

Previously, the Santa Ana Municipal Women's Hospital located in Santa Ana, Parnaíba, on the outskirts of São Paulo Metropolitan Area, disclosed that Schmidt's family wished to handle the affairs privately, declining external interference, and did not reveal further details.

Schmidt never played in the NBA during his career, but was deeply beloved by his nation for his unwavering commitment to the Brazilian national team.He participated in five consecutive Olympic Games, matching a historical record, with many records still unbroken. In the 1987 Pan American Games final, he led the team to defeat the United States, creating a classic moment in Brazilian basketball history.

He began his career in 1974, spending most of his time playing in Brazilian domestic leagues and the Italian league, and was also a basketball idol for legendary star Kobe Bryant during his youth. In 1984, the NBA's New Jersey Nets selected him in the sixth round, and he trained with the team, but ultimately declined to sign. At that time, the NBA strictly prohibited active players from representing their national teams in international competitions.

Schmidt stood 2.03 meters tall. In the 1980s, most coaches did not emphasize three-point shooting, yet he specialized in this style, and his precise shooting earned him the exclusive nickname "Holy Hand."

In 1977, at age 19, Schmidt officially joined the Brazilian national team, and from 1980 to 1996 he never missed any Olympic Games. With over a thousand total points, he firmly holds the top position on the Olympic men's basketball historical scoring list, and claimed the scoring title in three Olympics: 1988, 1992, and 1996, averaging 42.3 points per game in the 1988 Olympics. Among the top ten single-game scoring performances in Olympic men's basketball history, seven high-scoring records were set by him.

To this day, he still holds two significant single-game scoring records in international competitions: 55 points against Spain in 1988 (Olympics) and 52 points against Australia in 1990 (FIBA World Championship).

The 1987 Indianapolis Pan American Games were highly milestone; this was the first time the US men's basketball team lost in a top-tier international event held on home soil. Brazil narrowly won 120-115 in this match, with Schmidt scoring 46 points alone to lead the victory.

In 2003, at age 45, Schmidt officially retired. His total career points (club + national team) surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, making him the historical total scoring champion;This career total scoring record of 49,737 points was only broken by LeBron James in 2024.

He was inducted into several authoritative Halls of Fame:In 2010 inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame, in 2013 into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2017 into the Italian Basketball Hall of Fame..

After retirement, Schmidt became a motivational speaker. He often shared his experience battling brain cancer since his diagnosis in 2011, spoke passionately about his devotion to his homeland Brazil, and his lifelong unwavering love for basketball.