Schmidt, who had been hospitalized in the Sao Paulo metropolitan area after feeling ill, built a 30-year professional career across Brazil and Europe and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013, reported Xinhua.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In a statement, Schmidt's family said he had fought a brain tumor for 15 years \"with courage, dignity and resilience ... while remaining a role model of determination, generosity and love of life.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Oscar leaves a legacy that transcends sport and inspires generations of athletes and admirers in Brazil and worldwide,\" it said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Known as one of the finest long-range shooters in the sport, Schmidt played in a record-tying five Olympics and four World Cups.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He remains the all-time leading scorer in both tournaments and holds the single-game records for points scored in the Olympics (55 vs Spain in 1988) and World Cup (52 vs Australia in 1990).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Schmidt began his career at SE Palmeiras in 1974, later representing European clubs JuveCaserta, Pavia and Valladolid before returning to his homeland to play with SC Corinthians in 1995.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He retired at the age of 45 in 2003 after a professional career spanning three decades. His unofficial world record of 49,737 points for club and country was surpassed by LeBron James in 2024.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Schmidt began his career at SE Palmeiras in 1974, later representing European clubs JuveCaserta, Pavia and Valladolid before returning to his homeland to play with SC Corinthians in 1995.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The biggest player of Brazilian basketball history bids farewell as an absolute symbol of sport, the holder of a trajectory that redefined the boundaries of what was possible in a court,\" the Brazil Basketball Confederation said in a statement. \"His death closes an era. But his greatness remains.<\/p>\r\n\r\n