Brazilian basketball great Oscar Schmidt, the all-time leading scorer in both Olympic and World Cup history, has died aged 68 following a 15-year battle with a brain tumour.
His family confirmed the passing of the Hall of Famer on Friday in a public statement.
“Oscar leaves a legacy that transcends sport and inspires generations of athletes and admirers in Brazil and worldwide.”
An Olympic icon who rejected the NBA
Despite his status as one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history, the South American notably never played in the NBA.
He was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the sixth round in 1984, but famously declined a professional contract to retain his eligibility for the national side.
During that era, NBA athletes were strictly prohibited from competing in international tournaments for their countries.
Instead, the 6ft 8in forward spent the majority of his domestic career in his homeland and Italy, where he became a childhood idol to a young Kobe Bryant.
Record-breaking international career
Nicknamed “Mão Santa”, or the Holy Hand, the 68-year-old was a pioneering three-point shooter long before the strategy became widely embraced by coaches.
He made 326 appearances for Brazil over a 19-year international career, maintaining an astonishing average of 23.6 points per game.
The sharpshooter represented his nation at a record-tying five Olympic Games and four World Cups.
He continues to hold the single-game scoring records for both prestigious tournaments, including a remarkable 55-point performance against Spain at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
He was also the driving force behind a historic 120-115 victory over the United States in the 1987 Pan American Games final, scoring 46 points to hand the Americans their first major international tournament defeat on home soil.
A legacy cemented in history
“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.”
By the time he retired in 2003 at the age of 45, the former international had amassed an incredible 49,737 career points for club and country.
That unofficial global milestone surpassed the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and stood for two decades until it was finally eclipsed by LeBron James in 2024.
His monumental contributions to the game were formally recognised with inductions into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
Following his retirement from professional sport, the Brazilian icon transitioned into a highly successful career as a motivational speaker.
The New York Liberty have secured the long-term futures of their championship-winning core after agreeing multi-year contracts with Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones on Friday.
Stewart confirmed she has signed a three-year standard maximum contract worth $1.19m for the upcoming season, equating to 17% of the franchise’s salary cap.
Playmaker Ionescu has reportedly agreed to an identical deal, while standout centre Jones accepted a slightly reduced salary to ensure the team could retain all three cornerstone stars.
Championship core opts for stability
Many WNBA free agents have opted for one-year deals this off-season due to impending collective bargaining agreement negotiations next March.
However, the reigning champions’ elite trio deliberately chose long-term stability to build a basketball dynasty in Brooklyn.
“We need to make sure we’re able to really keep all the best players on the team,” Stewart explained on her podcast.
“That’s why you’ll see a few of us in the millions, and everybody else trying to get as much as they can while also having a great team.”
A historically dominant trio
Since the formation of this formidable partnership ahead of the 2023 campaign, the Eastern Conference heavyweights have set new standards across the league.
The franchise boasts a staggering 70-16 record when the three stars share the court, recording an exceptional +16.8 net rating across more than 1,700 regular-season minutes.
Two-time Finals MVP Stewart averaged 18.3 points last season, closely followed by the sharp-shooting Ionescu with 18.2 points and 5.7 assists per game.
The 2021 league MVP Jones contributed heavily in the paint, averaging 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds during their title-winning run.
‘Historic moment’ for New York
“This is an incredibly historic moment for the New York Liberty franchise.”
Jonathan Kolb, General Manager
Kolb added that retaining the trio reflects the trust, sacrifice and shared purpose required to redefine the standard of excellence across basketball.
The former Seattle Storm forward arrived via free agency in 2023, the same year the former Connecticut Sun centre was acquired in a blockbuster trade.
Meanwhile, the former first overall pick has spent her entire professional career in New York after being drafted in 2020.
“It was always about staying here in New York, because this is home,” Jones stated.
Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich are preparing summer bids for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr as the London club face the threat of Premier League relegation.
The 23-year-old has been a rare bright spark during a disastrous domestic campaign for the Lilywhites.
Spurs currently sit in the relegation zone with just six games remaining, two points adrift of safety following a dismal run of form that has yielded no victories since late December.
Their precarious league position has alerted Europe’s elite clubs to the potential availability of the highly-rated Senegal international.
European giants monitor £50m valuation
The Tottenham hierarchy publicly insist their prized midfield asset is not for sale under any circumstances.
However, failure to secure top-flight survival would severely weaken their negotiating position and likely force a high-profile departure.
It is understood that an offer in the region of £50m would be enough to tempt the North London club into sanctioning a sale to interested parties.
“Spurs insist Sarr is not for sale, but privately they know that big clubs are going to come calling, and some may already have done so.”
The former Metz player has drawn significant praise for his physical attributes, with heavyweight suitors eager to inject youth and athleticism into their respective squads.
De Zerbi faces summer rebuild
Newly appointed manager Roberto De Zerbi is expected to oversee a significant overhaul of the playing squad ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The dynamic ball-winner’s energetic profile and technical prowess theoretically make him a perfect fit for the Italian tactician’s demanding system.
Yet the financial realities of a potential drop down the divisions, combined with interest from Champions League contenders, may render a lucrative transfer inevitable.
“Sarr’s value is growing and there’s a real possibility of him moving on this summer whether they go down or not.”
With top-tier European football on offer elsewhere, the talented youngster will likely seek to test himself at the highest level should his current employers suffer relegation.
Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta insists her squad feels no burden from previous failures as they prepare for a crucial Women’s World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Leuven on Saturday.
The national team currently leads Group B4 on goal difference ahead of their weekend opponents following a dramatic 1-1 draw at Easter Road on Tuesday.
Kathleen McGovern secured a vital point for the hosts with a stoppage-time strike in that fixture, maintaining their slender advantage at the top of the standings.
Having missed out on every major tournament since 2019, the current crop of players is desperate to reach next year’s finals in Brazil.
Embracing the qualification challenge
Despite the weight of recent history, the Australian tactician remains adamant that her side has what it takes to progress without any fear of failure.
“No, the burden doesn’t exist within this group,” she told BBC Scotland.
“There’s a respect for what’s happened in the past and I want to learn from it and do everything that we can to avoid that occurring again, but it’s not a burden for us.”
The manager highlighted how a blend of fresh faces and established professionals has generated a renewed sense of belief within the camp.
“We’re excited for the challenge, we’re embracing it and together with some of the new faces and energy that’s within the team, there’s a great mix of that experience and energy that’s created this perfect storm of power, confidence, strength and bravery,” she added.
Focusing on daily processes
While reaching a major tournament remains the ultimate ambition, the head coach revealed that internal discussions are firmly rooted in immediate, controllable actions.
“I think because we’ve owned it and we’ve really set that as our goal now for us on the day-to-day front, it’s all about the processes and what we can do within our control to put ourselves in the best position,” she explained.
A significant part of this evolution since her appointment last year has been redefining the team’s purpose and reconnecting with a distinctly Scottish footballing identity.
“I think we’ve really reconnected to that and you’re seeing it in the way that they play, that they never stop no matter scenarios or situations that they’re faced.”
Squad updates and injury news
Preparations for the vital clash at Den Dreef have been slightly hampered by defensive absentees.
Celtic full-back Emma Lawton has been ruled out of the weekend fixture after suffering an ankle injury during Tuesday’s draw.
Maria McAneny and Leah Eddie had already withdrawn prior to the first game of this crucial double-header.
However, the squad has been boosted by the return of Kirsty Hanson, who is now fully available for selection.
Newcastle United have approached Tottenham Hotspur over the potential signing of Cristian Romero, hoping to capitalise on a clause that allows the defender to leave for free if the north London club are relegated.
Manager Eddie Howe is looking to rebuild his squad following a disappointing domestic campaign that will see the Magpies miss out on European football next season.
Central defender Fabian Schar is expected to depart St James’ Park when his current contract expires in the summer, prompting an urgent search for high-profile replacements.
Relegation clause sparks widespread interest
The Argentine World Cup winner signed a new contract last summer but has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with life in the capital.
Tottenham currently find themselves in a highly precarious position, unexpectedly battling against relegation from the Premier League with just six games remaining.
Reports indicate a shock clause in his current deal means the South American star can walk away for nothing if Spurs drop into the Championship.
In the current transfer market, the aggressive centre-back would typically command a fee well in excess of £50m.
Rebuilding efforts at St James’ Park
Newcastle face stiff competition for his signature, with several top-flight Spanish clubs also monitoring the ongoing situation closely.
The former Atalanta man has previously expressed an openness to playing in La Liga, which could complicate negotiations for the Tyneside outfit.
Adding to Howe’s impending rebuilding challenge, key figures such as Kieran Trippier, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes have also been heavily linked with summer exits.
Securing a player of such international pedigree on a free transfer would serve as a major statement of intent for Newcastle’s long-term ambitions.
The Houston Texans have signed All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr to a historic three-year, $150m extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The lucrative new agreement includes an astonishing $134m in guaranteed money.
It surpasses the financial benchmark set last August when Micah Parsons signed his massive extension with the Green Bay Packers.
Houston had previously exercised the 2027 fifth-year option for their cornerstone defender as a necessary precursor to this major long-term commitment.
Anchoring an elite defence
The third-year edge rusher was instrumental in Houston’s success last season, recording 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss.
His dynamic performances helped the franchise cultivate the league’s second-ranked scoring defence, allowing just 17.3 points per game.
Advanced metrics further highlight the 2023 third-overall draft pick’s dominance, ranking him second in the NFL with 85 total quarterback pressures.
These disruptive displays placed the imposing pass rusher second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, finishing only behind Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.
Playoff heroics and team building
The defensive talisman continually delivered in crucial moments, including a decisive strip-sack on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a tense playoff victory.
He also tormented elite opposition throughout the regular season, notably recovering a forced fumble for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks.
This monumental extension is part of a broader retention strategy by the Texans’ front office to maintain their formidable defensive unit.
Fellow pass rusher Danielle Hunter recently secured a one-year, $40m deal, while tight end Dalton Schultz and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn have also been rewarded with lucrative new contracts.
New UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg has undergone surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered during his title victory over Jiri Prochazka in Miami last Saturday.
The New Zealander sustained the severe knee injury during the opening round of the 205-pound championship bout at UFC 327.
Despite fighting effectively on one leg, the newly crowned titleholder remarkably managed to knock out his Czech opponent with a devastating left hook.
His manager, Ash Belcastro, confirmed the extent of the ligament damage after the fighter posted a post-operative update from Las Vegas this week.
Championship future remains uncertain
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has not yet confirmed what will happen to the light heavyweight belt during the striker’s prolonged recovery period.
This latest medical setback adds to a remarkable sequence of unfortunate events within the promotion’s 205-pound weight class.
The heavily disrupted division has now seen three separate title vacancies over the past four years alone.
Prochazka and Jamahal Hill both previously relinquished the undisputed championship due to severe injuries in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Furthermore, the belt was recently vacated once again in February when Alex Pereira elected to move up to the heavyweight ranks.
Contenders circle as Prochazka demands rematch
Following the dramatic knockout defeat, Prochazka controversially suggested that his own compassion ultimately led to his downfall.
The former champion claimed he felt “mercy” for his compromised opponent after observing the knee injury in the opening round.
He has already publicly demanded an immediate rematch once the injured titleholder returns to full fitness.
However, the top of the light heavyweight division remains fiercely contested with elite contenders awaiting their opportunity.
Magomed Ankalaev, Jan Blachowicz and Khalil Rountree Jr are all actively campaigning for the next guaranteed championship shot.
The San Diego Padres are on the verge of being sold to Chelsea co-owner Jose E Feliciano and his wife Kwanza Jones for a Major League Baseball record of $3.9bn (£3.1bn).
The proposed transaction will comfortably surpass the previous benchmark of $2.4bn set by Steve Cohen’s acquisition of the New York Mets in 2020.
Completion of the historic agreement requires formal approval from 75% of team owners across the league.
A decisive ratification vote is expected to take place at the next scheduled executive meetings in June.
Expanding a sports portfolio
Feliciano is the co-founder and managing partner of the Santa Monica-based private equity firm Clearlake Capital.
The 53-year-old already possesses significant experience in elite sports ownership following a prominent investment in the English Premier League.
Clearlake Capital previously partnered with Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly to lead a consortium that purchased Chelsea for $5.24bn (£4.25bn) in 2022.
Under the terms of this latest acquisition, the businessman will be officially designated as the controlling owner of the Californian baseball franchise.
Beating rival bidders
The successful proposal overcame strong competition from several prominent figures across the American sporting landscape.
Rival bidders reportedly included Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, Detroit Pistons chief Tom Gores and businessman Dan Friedkin.
The Major League Baseball club was initially made available on the market last November.
This organizational shift followed the passing of former chairman Peter Seidler, whose family ultimately initiated the comprehensive sale process.