Basketball: Brazilian legend Oscar Schmidt dies aged 68

São Paulo (Brazil), 17 April (LaPresse/AP) – Brazilian basketball legend Oscar Schmidt has died at the age of 68. He had been a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame since 2013. Schmidt’s family said he had battled brain cancer for 15 years “with courage, dignity and resilience, remaining a model of determination, generosity and love for life”. “Oscar leaves a legacy that goes beyond sport and inspires generations of athletes and admirers in Brazil and around the world”. Schmidt, nicknamed “Mano Santa”, never played in the NBA, but is deeply loved in Brazil for his commitment to the national team, with whom he took part in five consecutive Olympic Games (equalling a record) and set numerous scoring records. Schmidt held the record for career points scored (49,737) until 2024, when he was overtaken by LeBron James. In Italy, he played for JuveCaserta (1982–1990) and Pavia (1990–1993).