TUCSON, Ariz. – The star center on the University of Arizona's women's basketball team (search) collapsed at the school's sports arena Monday and later died.
Shawntinice Polk (search), a 6-foot-5, 225-pound senior, had asthma, athletic director Jim Livengood said, but he could not say whether it was related to her collapse.
"There was not a workout involved, there was not a practice involved. She just was not feeling well" when she arrived at the McKale Center, Livengood said.
Polk, 22, was a three-time all-Pac-10 selection and two-time honorable mention all-American.
Her body was taken to the Pima County Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy, a spokeswoman said.
"We lost a dear, dear friend in Shawntinice Polk this morning," university president Peter Likins (search) said, his voice breaking.
A memorial service was scheduled Wednesday. Polk is survived by her mother, four older brothers and two older sisters.
"This is a terribly sad, heartbreaking day in Arizona women's basketball," Wildcats coach Joan Bonvicini (search) said. "I can't put into words the pain and sadness that we're all feeling right now."
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