Pablo Torre Finds Out

Episode: The G.O.A.T. You’ve Never Known (PTFO Vault)
Published: August 7, 2025
Host: Pablo Torre
Guest: Oscar Schmidt
Notable Contributors: Rex Chapman, Fran Fraschilla, Mike Wilbon

Episode Overview

This episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out is a deep-dive “talkumentary” into the legendary but under-celebrated career of Oscar Schmidt, the all-time leading scorer in world basketball history and a major influence on the global game—despite never playing in the NBA. Torre travels to Schmidt’s home in Orlando for an in-depth, personal conversation, unearthing the lesser-known stories, pivotal decisions, and seismic games that not only defined Schmidt’s own path but set the stage for the NBA’s international era and the creation of the Dream Team.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Who Is Oscar Schmidt?

• Legendary status abroad, relative anonymity in the U.S.: Although Schmidt is virtually unknown to many American fans, he is revered internationally, especially across Brazil, Italy, and Spain, and holds the record for most points scored in basketball history (49,737).
  • “You scored more points than anyone who’s ever played basketball, in any country.” (04:00, Pablo)
• Nicknamed “Holy Hand” in Italy for his shooting prowess.
  • “In Italy, your nickname was what?” — “It’s Holy Hand.” (02:45, Oscar)

Why Didn’t Oscar Play in the NBA?

• Drafted by the New Jersey Nets, 1984—131st overall

  • Disappointed by sixth-round pick and low regard for international players at the time.
  • FIBA rule (pre-1992): Playing a single NBA game made a player ineligible for their national team. Schmidt’s loyalty to the Brazilian national team overrode NBA aspirations.
    • “For me, national team was first.” (14:50, Oscar)
    • “I never play in NBA because I didn’t want to play in NBA because New Jersey Nets drafted me at 6 round choice 131. That’s why I never play in the NBA. Because I get offended with that.” (40:20, Oscar)

• Brash self-belief: Schmidt attended Nets camp just to prove he could—averaged “a point a minute”—but turned down the contract due to that FIBA restriction.

  • “Come on, man, if you want me, get me the first round … I give you 20 points in 20 minutes.” (13:20–13:48, Oscar)

The Game That Changed Basketball: 1987 Pan American Games

Context & Setup (17:11–19:20)

• Brazil vs. Team USA in Indianapolis: U.S. hadn’t lost on home soil, ever, and were led by future NBA stars (David Robinson, Danny Manning, Rex Chapman).
• American team and press corps didn’t take Brazil seriously.

The Comeback & Schmidt’s Heroics (19:20–25:32)

• Brazil overcomes 26-point deficit; Schmidt explodes in second half
  • Schmidt hits 35 points in the second half (46 total), leading Brazil to a shocking 120–115 win.
    • “I had this sensation like almost 30 times ... you see the game in slow motion, but you are not in slow motion.” (21:37, Oscar)
    • “You had at least six [threes] in the second half.” (22:26, Pablo)
• Memorable moments: Schmidt screaming after makes, slapping himself on the face, vividly emotional reactions to victory.
  • “I thought I was sleepy. Come on, man. I’m awake.” (25:20, Oscar)
• Aftermath: Emotional celebrations, delayed national anthem, a win “not supposed to happen.”
  • “Greatest joy was beat the Americans at the Pan Am games. That opened the doors...” (46:14, Oscar)

Ripples Across Basketball (30:09–32:37)

• After U.S. losses (to Brazil, then USSR), FIBA changes its rules in 1989, allowing NBA participation. Directly leads to the formation of the 1992 Dream Team.
  • “The Dream Team is playing because our team, Brazilian basketball team.” (31:31, Oscar)
  • “You beat Team USA, that leads to the rule being lifted, which leads to Larry Bird, to the Barcelona Olympics ... You’re the first domino.” (32:38, Pablo)

Oscar’s Place in the Basketball Pantheon

Influence on Generations (06:10–07:28)

• Kobe Bryant as a fan: Bryant watched Oscar play in Italy as a child, with his dad (Joe "Jellybean" Bryant) competing against Schmidt.
  • “You grew up watching me beat his dad every year. He said to his father that he likes me. Joe said, no, no … You lose to Oscar every year. I will continue with Oscar.” (06:37, Oscar recounting Kobe’s story)

Scoring Prowess in Context (09:08–10:41)

• Way ahead of his time:
  • Averaged nearly 45% from three for career—second only to Steve Kerr.
  • Attempted 8.5 threes per game (by comparison, teams like the 1987 Mavericks attempted 8 as a team per game).
    • “If you have a line [the three-point line], why are you gonna shoot two?” (11:10, Oscar)

Oscar’s Self-Assessment & Legacy

• Openly confident he’d be a top 10 NBA player if he’d gone:
  • “I would be top 10, sure that I’ll be top 10. Me, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and all the rest that played in the Dream Team.” (07:44 & 46:38, Oscar)
• Unbothered by lack of NBA validation:
  • “I never played in the NBA because I didn’t want it.” (39:57, Oscar)
  • “Records are made to be broken. So broke as fast as he wants.” (41:56, Oscar on LeBron closing in on his points total)

The Eternal Underdog and Exporter of the Game

• Acceptance of underappreciation: Oscar is at peace with his relative obscurity in the U.S.
  • “Many know [my story], but many don’t … I don’t get upset about this. … Go, go with your team.” (39:24, Oscar)
• Globalization of the Game: His influence opened the door for modern international stars (Gasol, Nowitzki, Parker, Doncic, Jokic, Giannis).
  • “All the great international players who did the thing that you did not do, which is they went to the NBA. And so the guy who never set foot in the NBA became responsible for all of the international players who would.” (32:38, Pablo)

Reflections on Basketball Today

• Prefers to watch Jokic, Doncic, and other internationals:
  • “I look for Luka Dončić. I look for Jokic. I look for all the foreign players, much more than American players, because they are better.” (37:30, Oscar)
• Admiration for Klay Thompson’s mechanics:
  • “He’s the guy I admire more … he shoots from two, it’s the same as if he shoots from three.” (38:45, Oscar)
• Notes that American NBA now plays “like Oscar Schmidt.” (38:34, Pablo)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On turning down the NBA:
  • “If you play just one game in NBA on that time, you could not play never more with your national team.” (14:41, Oscar)
• On ‘87 Pan Am Games:
  • “When you win something that you’re not supposed to win, most of the times you cry if you are emotional. I was very emotional.” (26:10, Oscar)
• On influence:
  • “It’s our fault. If we didn’t won that game, there is no Dream Team.” (31:22, Oscar)
• On advice for LeBron:
  • “Keep playing the way you were playing. You broke my record, soon you listen, LeBron go like this, you’ll be the first one in the world.” (42:32, Oscar)
• Rex Chapman’s video message:
  • “Oscar Schmidt came out of halftime and put the Brazilian team on your back. You got so hot, you could kick them in.” (28:51, Rex Chapman)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [02:45] – Oscar’s nicknames and origin of “Holy Hand”
• [07:28] – Total points scored, Oscar’s record (49,737)
• [09:08] – Fran Fraschilla on how Schmidt would fit today
• [12:29]–[16:38] – Decision not to play in the NBA; NBA views on internationals in the 80s
• [17:11]–[25:32] – Deep play-by-play and narration of 1987 Pan Am Games shock upset
• [28:46] – Rex Chapman video message/memories
• [30:09]–[32:38] – How U.S. losses led to FIBA rule change and the creation of the Dream Team
• [37:30] – Oscar’s take on current NBA stars and playing styles
• [41:09] – Oscar on LeBron nearing his scoring record
• [46:14] – Oscar’s greatest joy: “Beat the Americans at the Pan Am games.”

Closing Reflections

Through storytelling, humor, critical self-reflection, and outright joy for basketball, Oscar Schmidt recounts the historic moments that transcended his personal glory and fundamentally altered the global basketball landscape. Pablo Torre’s immersion makes this episode an essential history lesson, not just for fans of the sport, but for anyone interested in how a single extraordinary individual can shift the course of an institution—even when playing outside its bounds.

Final Word:
“Oscar Schmidt. The reason, it turns out, that I fell in love with basketball.” (47:12, Pablo Torre)