Oscar Schmidt, Basketball Hall of Famer and Olympic record holder from Brazil, dies at 68
Oscar Schmidt said his greatest basketball achievement was an upset of the U.S.
Brazilian Oscar Schmidt, a Basketball Hall of Famer and the Olympic basketball scoring king (1,093 points), has died at age 68. In a statement reported by Brazilian media , Schmidt's family noted that he battled a brain tumor the last 15 years "with courage, dignity, and resilience, remaining an example of determination, generosity, and love for life. Recognized for his brilliant career on the court and his remarkable personality off it, Oscar leaves a legacy that transcends sports and inspires generations of athletes and admirers in Brazil and around the world.
" In five Olympics from 1980 through 1996, Schmidt averaged 28. 8 points per game over 38 total games played. That included a 42.
3-point-per-game showing at the 1988 Seoul Games and a 24-point performance against the Dream Team in 1992 (a 127-83 defeat). "There was not a shot that I don't like," he said. Brazil's best Olympic finish in that span was fifth.
“I was the top scorer in the Barcelona Olympics even with the Dream Team there," Schmidt, nicknamed "Mão Santa" (Holy Hand), was quoted as saying. Schmidt tallied 304 more points than the Olympics' second all-time leading scorer — Australian Andrew Gaze — and more than twice as many points as the U. S.