Basketball Hall of Famer Dead at 68
Oscar Schmidt has died at the age of 68. The Brazilian basketball star was known as the “Holy Hand,” according to ESPN.
His Family's Statement
His family released a statement about his death from brain cancer, saying that he died, “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.”
Kobe Bryant's Idol
Although he never played in the NBA, he was well known for his skills in five Olympic Games, setting scoring records and revving fans. He started playing in Italy where he lived most of his life and became an idol to Kobe Bryant. He was drafted by the New Jersey Jets in 1984 but he declined the offer.
He beat Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s highest score with a tally of 49,737 points for club and country before LeBron James took the lead in 2024.
After retiring, he became a motivational speaker and talked about his journey with a brain tumor as well as his love of the game.