Greatest Olympic scorer, with 1,093 points, former player died this Friday (April 17) after being admitted to hospital
Former basketball player this Friday (April 17, 2026), at 68 years old. He was known as “Holy Hand“ because of the accuracy of the throws. The athlete defended the Brazilian team in 5 editions of the Olympic Games. He scored 1,093 points, a record.
The name in pitches appeared at the beginning of Schmidt’s career. The former player had one of the most consistent shots in basketball, with high success in medium and long distance shots.
The refined technique and exhaustive repetition in training made the balls feel “guided” to the basket. This characteristic reinforced the perception of an unusual ability. The nickname became a trademark and came to symbolize the athlete’s offensive efficiency.
The expression “Holy Hand“ It’s no longer just a nickname. The term became synonymous with excellence in basketball and became directly associated with Oscar’s style of play.
OSCAR SCHMIDT DIES
Oscar Schmidt was admitted, this Friday, to the Santa Ana Municipal Hospital, in Santana do Parnaíba, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, after feeling ill. The former athlete’s office confirmed the death hours later.
The statement did not specify the cause of death. Team 14 Eventos, responsible for Schmidt’s advice, reported that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2011.
Oscar Daniel Bezerra Schmidt was born on February 16, 1958 in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. His family moved to São Paulo, where he began his career in professional basketball in 1974, at the age of 16. He joined Palmeiras’ youth teams, playing for the youth team.
During his career in Brazil, in the 1970s and 1980s, he defended traditional national basketball clubs. He played for Sírio, Corinthians and Flamengo.
In 1984, the New Jersey Nets, an NBA (National Basketball Association) team, recruited Oscar to play in the world’s top basketball league. The athlete chose not to accept the proposal. He decided to pursue his career in Europe, where he had already established his reputation.
International career and Olympic record
In Europe, in the 1980s and 1990s, Oscar played for Italian and Spanish teams. He played for JuveCaserta and Pavia, both in Italy. He also defended the Valladolid Forum, in Spain. His time in European basketball consolidated his international fame.
Oscar represented the Brazilian team in 5 editions of the Olympic Games. During these appearances, he set a record that remains to this day. Scored 1,093 points. It became the biggest basket in the history of the Olympics. No other athlete has reached this mark.
In 2013, the former player was included in the Hall of Fame of basketball. This honor celebrated his contribution to the sport over decades.
The farewell to the former player will be held privately. According to the statement released, the ceremony will be “restricted to family members, in respect of the family’s desire for an intimate moment of recollection”.
The family requested understanding regarding the need for privacy during mourning.
The advisory highlighted the importance of the former player to the sport. “Recognized for his brilliant trajectory on the court and for his remarkable personality off it, Oscar leaves a legacy that transcends sport and inspires generations of athletes and admirers in Brazil and around the world”stated the note.
“His legacy will remain alive in the collective memory and in the history of sport, as well as in the hearts of everyone who was touched by his trajectory”, concluded the statement.
