Basketball Legend Oscar Schmidt Remembered for Carrying Injured Steve Kerr Off Court

Kerr shares heartwarming story of Schmidt's sportsmanship after ACL tear in 1986 World Championships

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:52am

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the multifaceted legacy of basketball player Oscar Schmidt.The legacy of basketball legend Oscar Schmidt extends beyond his scoring records, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship that transcends the game.Indianapolis Today

Basketball legend Oscar Schmidt, considered one of the greatest players to never play in the NBA, has passed away at the age of 68 after a 15-year battle with a brain tumor. Steve Kerr, the current Golden State Warriors head coach, shared a touching story about Schmidt's sportsmanship when he helped carry Kerr off the court after he suffered an ACL tear during the 1986 FIBA World Championships.

Why it matters

Schmidt was a scoring juggernaut who terrorized NBA veterans on the global stage, but he is remembered not just for his prolific career, but for his sportsmanship and humanity off the court. Kerr's story highlights Schmidt's character and the respect he earned from opponents, cementing his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.

The details

In the 1986 World Championships matchup between the United States and Brazil, a young Steve Kerr suffered a devastating ACL tear while playing for the U.S. team. As Kerr collapsed on the floor in pain, it was his opponent, the 6'9" Oscar Schmidt, who reached him first and literally picked him up, carrying him off the court in an incredible gesture of sportsmanship.

  • In the 1986 FIBA World Championships, Kerr tore his ACL while playing against Brazil.
  • Oscar Schmidt died on April 17, 2026, after a 15-year battle with a brain tumor.

The players

Oscar Schmidt

A Brazilian basketball legend considered one of the greatest players to never play in the NBA. He was a scoring juggernaut who terrorized NBA veterans on the global stage, and is the all-time leading scorer in Olympic history with 1,093 points.

Steve Kerr

The current head coach of the Golden State Warriors, who played against Oscar Schmidt in the 1986 FIBA World Championships and suffered a devastating ACL tear, only to be helped off the court by Schmidt himself.

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What they’re saying

“I want to give my condolences to Oscar Schmidt's family. You mentioned Gui [Santos], and it reminded me of reading the news today. He was one of the greatest shooters I've ever seen in my life. Just no conscience, just a little bit, you know, of the Steph Curry mentality. Never ever thought twice about letting it fly. Just a beautiful player and with an incredible mentality.”

— Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors Head Coach

“On a personal note, I played against him in 1986 in the World Championships and I tore my ACL against Brazil. He literally picked me up, carried me off the floor and it was an incredible gesture on his part.”

— Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors Head Coach

The takeaway

Oscar Schmidt's legacy extends far beyond his prolific scoring records and global basketball dominance. His sportsmanship and humanity, as exemplified by the story of him carrying the injured Steve Kerr off the court, cement his status as one of the sport's all-time greats and a true ambassador for the game.