Oscar Schmidt, Basketball Hall Of Famer From Brazil, Dies At 68 - Beritaja

Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Schmidt, known successful Brazil arsenic “Mão Santa” (Holy Hand), died Friday astatine the property of 68.

His family shared that Schmidt had been battling a encephalon tumor for much than 15 years. In a statement, they said he faced the unwellness “with courage, dignity and resilience … while remaining a domiciled exemplary of determination, generosity and emotion of life.” His legacy, the family added, transcends athletics and continues to animate generations of athletes and fans successful Brazil and about the world, according to the Associated Press.

Schmidt ne'er played successful the NBA, yet became 1 of the about prolific scorers successful world hoops history. He competed successful 5 Olympic Games, appeared successful 4 World Cups, and was a cardinal fig connected the Brazilian nationalist squad that defeated the United States astatine the 1987 Pan-American Games — the first clip a U.S. squad had mislaid a location tourney to world competition. Brazil won 120–115, pinch Schmidt pouring successful 46 points.

His scoring records stay untouched. He put up 55 points against Spain astatine the 1988 Olympics and 52 against Australia successful 1990 — some Olympic single-game records — and retired arsenic the all-time starring scorer successful Olympic history pinch 1,000 profession points. The 6-foot-8 defender represented Brazil successful each Olympic tourney from 1980 done 1996, earning the nickname “Mão Santa” for his exceptional three-point shooting.

Schmidt earned the nickname “Mão Santa” (Holy Hand) for his exceptional three-point shooting ability.

Tributes poured successful from crossed the hoops world. Larry Bird called Schmidt “one of the top players to ever play the game” and reflected connected the grant of presenting him astatine his Hall of Fame induction. Golden State Warriors caput coach Steve Kerr remembered Schmidt arsenic “one of the top shooters I’ve ever seen successful my life.”

Schmidt was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame successful 2010, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame successful 2013, and the Italian Basketball Hall of Fame successful 2017. He retired from playing successful 2003 astatine property 45 and later built a 2nd profession arsenic a motivational speaker.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Cristina Victorino, and their 2 children.