Schmidt's career began in his home country, where he played for various clubs in the Brazilian league. His scoring prowess quickly became evident, and he earned the nickname "Mão Santa," which translates to "Holy Hand," for his shooting ability. Throughout his career, Schmidt won several scoring titles in the Brazilian league.
In 1984, Schmidt was drafted by the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the sixth round. However, he chose not to play in the NBA, as doing so would have rendered him ineligible to play for the Brazilian national team due to the amateur status rules in place at the time. Instead, Schmidt continued to play in Europe and South America, where he enjoyed a successful club career.
Schmidt played for several European teams, most notably in the Italian league. He had stints with Caserta, Pavia, and Assis Basket. During his time in Italy, he was a prolific scorer and became a fan favorite. Schmidt won the Italian league scoring title multiple times and led his teams to various domestic championships.
Internationally, Oscar Schmidt represented Brazil in five Olympic Games (1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996). He is best known for his performance in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where he was the top scorer, averaging 42.3 points per game. His most memorable Olympic moment came in 1987 during a qualification match for the Seoul Olympics, where he scored 46 points against the United States team, which was composed of college players, including several future NBA stars.
Schmidt also played in several FIBA World Championships, Pan American Games, and South American Championships, consistently leading his team in scoring and helping Brazil to achieve numerous medals. His international career is highlighted by a gold medal at the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, where Brazil defeated a United States team composed of future NBA players.
By the time he retired in 2003, Schmidt had scored more than 49,000 points in his professional and national team career, making him the all-time leading scorer in the history of basketball. His scoring records include the most points scored in Olympic basketball history.
Oscar Schmidt's individual accolades are numerous. He was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Despite his success, Schmidt is often remembered for his decision not to play in the NBA, which some speculate could have made him a star in the league.
After retiring from playing, Schmidt has remained involved in basketball and sports commentary. His legacy is not only as a scorer but also as an icon of Brazilian basketball, inspiring future generations of players in Brazil and around the world.
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