Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Shaquille O'Neal Incorrectly Declares NBA Legend Has Passed Away

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 3:03 AM ET

Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal is no stranger to the spotlight. Revered for his dominance during the early 2000s, O’Neal was the centerpiece of a Los Angeles Lakers dynasty that captured three consecutive NBA titles. He also added a fourth championship in Miami before wrapping up a career that spanned six franchises. Since retirement, he has become a beloved television personality on TNT’s Inside the NBA—but not without the occasional misstep.

On Sunday night, O’Neal found himself on the wrong end of an awkward moment during the postgame show following the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat playoff game.

The panel was celebrating Ty Jerome’s standout 28-point performance off the bench, placing him among the top four for most points in a playoff debut as a reserve—alongside Malik Monk, Ben Gordon, and Billy Ray Bates.

As the crew reminisced about Bates, co-host Charles Barkley praised the former Portland Trail Blazer, calling him “built like a truck,” before asking, “Is he still alive?”

Billy Ray Bates is still alive@TheDeanQuinito @SHAQ @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/Dl3nygavqT
— uhnin (@iloilohoops) April 21, 2025

The question was met with a moment of silence and awkward laughter, until O'Neal confidently responded, "He passed away."

However, that statement was incorrect. A fan quickly took to X to fact-check O’Neal, confirming that Billy Ray Bates is still alive.

"Billy Ray Bates is definitely still alive," the fan wrote.

Billy Ray Bates is definitely still alive ⁦@NBAonTNT⁩ ‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/M9Wb4rMX1T
— ✭Blizzy✭ (@BlizzyB_) April 21, 2025

The 68-year-old is indeed still alive, per his Basketball Reference page. This moment has been trending on social media, sparking jokes online and some light criticism of O'Neal. Bates played four seasons in the NBA, with his final games coming with the Lakers.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: