ROMA (ITALPRESS) – He died at 68, after a long battle for a brain tumor, former Brazilian basketball player Oscar Schmidt. From 2013 in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, he held the world record of career scores (49.737) until he was surpassed by LeBron James on November 22, 2024. At an altitude of 2,05 m per 110 kg, Oscar played in the role of wing, gaining the nickname “holy hand” for his shooting precision. She’s had a long, 26-year-old agonistic career. He participated in five editions of the Olympics, from Moscow 1980 to Atlanta 1996, recorders of appearances of baskets (along with Puerto Rican Teo Cruz, Australian Andrew Gaze, Spanish Juan Carlos Navarro, Argentine Luis Scola and American Teresa Edwards). The Games holds several other records, including: total points scored (1093); points scored in one match (55 against Spain in Seoul in 1988); average points higher in one edition: 42.3 points per game (Seoul 1988, 338 points in eight matches). The Brazilian national team played 326 matches (between 1977 and 1996), with an average of 23.6 points per game.
During his Italian career, he earned his first place in the Italian league’s absolute ranking, and was later kicked off by Antonello Riva, who played almost twice as many games as the Brazilian. With its 13 957 points it remains the foreign player who scored more, with a total average of 34.6 points per race and peaks of over 60 points, the first of which was recorded in 1984. Analyzing the basketists with at least 100 appearances in the Italian championship, it is the player who has repeatedly exceeded 50 points scored in one race, specifically 28 times in 403 games played (about 7%), in front of two other legends like Dra en Dalipagic (15/241 equal to 6.2%) and Joe Bryant (14/247, about 5.7%). Juvecaserta retired his jersey number 18, also played in Pavia.
“Oscar Schmidt, the ‘Mão Santa’, was the greatest idol in Brazilian basketball history and one of the greatest basketists of discipline. Example of obstinacy, talent and love for the Seleçao jersey”. Thus begins the post with which the president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, remembers Oscar Schmidt. The wife Maria Cristina and the two children, Felipe and Stephanie, of the former star of JuveCaserta, admitted in “cardio-respiratory arrest” Friday morning and then died in the hospital, in a note thank “all for the messages of support, strength and solidarity received in these hours. The last greeting was held in private form, reserved for the closest family members. We ask for respect and privacy at this difficult time. Thank you for your understanding.” “For decades he has joined the country around the fields, with unforgettable shots and indisputable leadership. He played five Olympics and graduated the highest achievement in the history of the Games”, continues President Lula in his farewell message.
“For the Seleçao the most symbolic moment arrived in the 1987 Pan American Games final, in Indianapolis, when he led Brazil to the 120 to 115 victory over the United States, the first American defeat at home in the history of the competition. Oscar also conquered the bronze at the 1978 World Cup, played in the Philippines. His dedication – Lula continues – brought up the name of the country, was an inspiration for generations of athletes and sports enthusiasts. At this moment of mourning, I place my solidarity with the family, friends and many fans who have conquered.” In Italy Oscar played from 1982 to 1990 at Juvecaserta and then for three years in Pallacanestro Pavia and both companies wanted to remember it. “The Juvecaserta cries the disappearance of Oscar Schmidt, an absolute legend of basketball and unforgettable protagonist of the history of basketball. Oscar was not only an extraordinary champion: it was pure emotion, overwhelming passion, infinite talent. With his impossible shots, his charisma and his boundless love for this sport, he made generations of fans dream, leaving an indelible mark in Caserta and wherever he played,” writes the Campania club.
“Who was lucky to see him wear our colors knows that he was not simply an athlete, but a symbol, an inspiration, a piece of white heart that will continue to live in the memories of all of us. At this time of great pain, Juvecaserta is moved with emotion to his wife Cristina, his sons Felipe and Stephanie, his family, his friends and the whole basketball world. Hello Oscar, eternal legend. Caserta will never forget you,” concludes the note. “The Basketball Pavia 1933 places the most felt condolences to the family of Oscar Schmidt. Thank you for being part of our story. Thank you for writing the story of this sport. Thanks for doing it with our shirt. Rest in Peace Eternal Champion”, writes Pavia. Also the president of Fip, Gianni Petrucci, wanted to remember Oscar. “One of the greatest players in the history of basketball, a symbol of talent and passion without boundaries. In Italy the Brazilian champion has written memorable pages with the mesh of Caserta and Pavia, best foreign scorer of the championship and reference point for fans, comrades and opponents”.
“The presence of ‘Mano Santa’ has helped Italian basketball grow in competitiveness and visibility, helping to make the Serie A a stage capable of attracting international outclasses. Hit by the serious mourning, President Fip Giovanni Petrucci is close to the family of Oscar Schmidt and expresses the most felt mourning for personal reasons and on behalf of the Italian basketball player”, concludes the note of Federbasket and President Petrucci. The basketball league also remembered the Brazilian champion. “The Lba joins the international basketball cord for the disappearance at the age of 68 by Oscar Schmidt, Brazilian legend great protagonist in Italy from 1982 to 1990 with Juvecaserta (with which he also conquered the historic Coppa Italia of 1988) and from 1990 to 1993 with Pallacanestro Pavia. Second best maker in Lba history with 13957 points scored (backed only by Antonello Riva, at 14397) and for 7 years top scorer of Serie A championship, Oscar Schmidt was included in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Known with the nickname ‘Mao Santa’ and the eternal number 14 of the Brazilian national team, it was one of the main figures who helped spread basketball in the country. In five performances at the Olympics – Moscow 1980, Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 – he scored 1093 points, becoming the best marker of all time in the history of the Games”, the Lba concludes.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
