The departure of the "Holy Hand": Former basketball player Oskar Šmit passes away

Brazilian basketball legend, former player Oscar Schmidt, passed away today at the age of 69, CNN Brazil reports.

Known as the "Holy Hand", he immortalized the number 14 jersey of the Brazilian national team.

The information about the death was confirmed by Šmit's public relations team.

Schmidt was taken to the Santa Ana Municipal Hospital, in Santana de Parnaiba, after falling ill, but did not survive, BBC Brazil reports.

According to the latest announcements from family members, his health was already deteriorating after the surgery. In early April, his son Felipe Schmidt received an award on his father's behalf from the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB).

Oskar Schmidt fought a brain tumor for 15 years.

On social media, Oskar Schmidt's son posted a farewell message to his father. "As a son, I can only say: Dad, I will miss you. I will respect what you taught me to be a man and I will try to be at least ten percent of the man you were. You were my role model and I will never, ever forget you," Felipe Schmidt wrote.

Oskar Schmidt, known worldwide as "The Holy Hand", is one of the greatest names in basketball history.

Brazil's record holder for the most appearances at the Olympic Games, he participated in five consecutive editions and became the only athlete to exceed the 1.000-point mark in the history of that competition.

With the national team, he won three South American championships and one Pan American Games, as well as bronze at the 1978 World Championship.

An icon of world sports, he was inducted into the FIBA ​​Hall of Fame, and uniquely into the NBA Hall of Fame, even though he never played in that league, according to CNN Brazil, adding that Schmidt was recognized for his genius and global influence, chosen as one of the 100 best basketball players of all time.