CNN+ host Rex Chapman mistakenly suggests sports analyst Pete Gillen is dead

Oral Roberts University President Dr. William Wilson discusses his institution, coronavirus and ORU’s March Madness performance.

CNN's Rex Chapman mistakenly suggested CBS sports analyst Pete Gillen was dead on Saturday while anchoring during the March Madness tournament. 

"The first time since 25 years ago when Pete Gillen had God Shamgod — rest in peace, Pete Gillen," Chapman said during a conversation about Providence advancing to the Sweet 16. 

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski yells during the first half of a college basketball game against the Cal State Fullerton in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Greenville, S.C.  (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Gillen, 74, is a member of the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame and previously coached at Providence and the University of Virginia. He now works as a sports analyst for CBS and is very much alive, as Chapman later pointed out on Twitter. 

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"It's a great day! Pete's alive," Chapman wrote, adding that he was thinking of Skip Prosser, who passed away in 2007. 

"Skip Prosser was where my head was. Xavier connection maybe. Lol," he continued. 

Barry Hinson, an analyst for Oklahoma state men's basketball team, posted a picture of himself and Gillen on Twitter, referencing the blunder. 

"Rex … It's me and Pete Gillen saying hi from heaven. Hope is all well down there," he joked. Chapman retweeted the post himself. 

Chapman, who played for the University of Kentucky and played professionally for the Phoenix Suns, will host a new show on CNN+ that will feature conversations with athletes.

A March Madness sticker for the NCAA college basketball tournament is placed on a window