Search by the First Name of the HOFers
Ora Mae Washington
Inducted:
2018
Player Stats:
Born:
January 23, 1898
Caroline County, Virginia, U.S.
Died:
December 21, 1971
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Center
Forward
College:
NA
Ora Mae Washington was one of the most accomplished and groundbreaking athletes of the early 20th century, dominating both women’s basketball and tennis long before opportunities were equal. From the 1930s to the 1940s, she led the Philadelphia Tribunes basketball team to multiple championships, earning the reputation as the “Queen of the Court.” Known for her elite scoring and relentless defense, she helped popularize women’s basketball in Black communities.
Equally talented in tennis, Washington won 12 American Tennis Association (ATA) national singles titles, holding the crown for over a decade. Her athletic excellence came during a time of limited access for Black women in sports, making her legacy even more remarkable. In 2018, she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as an early African American sports icon.
Washington's Awards & Records:
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2018)
- 12 ATA national tennis singles titles – undefeated in singles for over a decade
- Multiple basketball titles with the Philadelphia Tribunes
- Considered the first Black female sports superstar in America
- Faced and overcame barriers due to segregation in both sports
- Known for versatility, skill, and leadership across two sports
- Helped the Philadelphia Tribunes win 11 straight Black women’s basketball titles
Career Teams:
Philadelphia Tribunes (1930s–1940s)
Career Stats:
Position:
Center/Forward
Team:
Philadelphia Tribunes (1930s–1940s)
Tennis Association:
American Tennis Association (ATA)
Basketball Titles:
Numerous Black women’s championships with Tribunes
Tennis Titles:
12-time ATA National Women’s Singles Champion
Oscar Schmidt
Inducted:
2013
Player Stats:
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
Born:
February 16, 1958
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Position:
Small forward
Power forward
College:
S.E. Palmeiras
Mackenzie College
Oscar Daniel Bezerra Schmidt (born 1958), nicknamed "Mão Santa" (Holy Hand), is a legendary Brazilian basketball forward hailed as one of the greatest scorers in history. Rather than pursuing an NBA career after being drafted in 1984, he chose to stay in international basketball to maintain Olympic eligibility.
Over a remarkable 29-year career, he amassed nearly 50,000 points in club and national play combined, becoming the top scorer in Olympic history, the FIBA World Cup, and multiple top leagues. Known for his precision shooting, leadership, and longevity, he helped Brazil to a historic 1987 Pan-American gold medal, highlighted by 46 points against the United States.
Recognized globally, Schmidt was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013, honoring his transcendent impact on the sport.
Schmidt's Awards & Records:
- Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2013)
- Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame (2010)
- Olympic Order recipient (1997)
- Named one of FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players (1991)
- Multiple scoring titles: Brazilian, Italian, Spanish leagues
- Jersey numbers retired by several clubs (Juve Caserta #18, Pavia #11, Flamengo #14)
Notable Achievements:
- Holds the record for most total career points in basketball (~49,700), until recently surpassed by
- All-time leading scorer in Olympic basketball (1,093 points)
- Averaged a record 42.3 points per game during the 1988 Olympics
- Olympic single-game scoring record: 55 points against Spain
- All-time leading scorer in FIBA World Championships and record-holder for points in a single World Cup game (52)
NBA Teams:
S.E. Palmeiras (1974–1978)
E.C. Sírio (1978–1982)
América do Rio (1982)
JuveCaserta (1982–1990)
Pavia (1990–1993)
Valladolid (1993–1995)
S.C. Corinthians Paulista (1995–1997)
Bandeirantes / Mackenzie (1997–1999)
C.R. Flamengo (1999–2003)
NBA Draft:
1984: 6th round, 131st overall pick
New Jersey Nets
Number Worn:
6, 11, 14, 18
Career Stats:
Total career points:
~49,700 points
Brazilian national team:
326 appearances
~7,693 points
Olympics:
1,093 points
~28.8 ppg
1988 Olympics:
Averaged 42.3 ppg
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NBA Hall of Fame
The NBA Hall of Fame, officially known as the Basketball Hall of Fame, is a prestigious institution that honors the greatest figures in the sport of basketball. Each year, the Induction ceremony celebrates legendary players who have made significant impacts on the game. The Hall of Fame class features basketball legends whose remarkable career achievements and iconic moments have defined the sport.
Inductees are recognized for their substantial player contributions, earning various awards and honors throughout their careers. The Hall also pays tribute to retired jerseys and acknowledges the profound impact on the game by highlighting the historic contributions of its members. With a focus on the legacy in basketball, the NBA Hall of Fame continues to celebrate excellence and inspire future generations of players through memorable speeches and recognition in sports.
