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Members of the Arizona basketball community mourn the death of former All-Pac-10 center Shawntini

When Nikki Blue heard the news on Monday afternoon that Arizona women’s basketball player Shawntinice Polk had collapsed and died earlier that morning, the instant shock and devastation of losing a dear friend put Blue in a state of denial.

“I just said to myself, ‘No it can’t be,’” Blue said. “When it finally sank in, I called my mom and we cried.”

Polk, a 6-foot-5-inch center set to enter her senior year for the Wildcats, collapsed and died on Monday morning. It was discovered later in the week that the preseason Wooden Award and Wade Trophy candidate had suffered a pulmonary blood clot, an extremely rare occurrence for someone so young.

When the rest of the UCLA women’s basketball team heard the grim news, all the players were in shock.

“Most of us are still in a state of disbelief,” Blue said. “A lot of us knew her personally. We said a prayer for her and for the Arizona team.”

For Blue, the news was particularly painful.

Blue first met Polk when the two played against each other in high school. During the summer after high school, the two participated in the same Nike summer camp and were chosen as stretch partners. That connection was the beginning of a friendship that has lasted throughout their college careers.

“We would talk to each other on the phone before games and when we played each other, we’d chill out together,” Blue said.

Though she may have been a person of intimidating stature, Polk’s sense of humor and lighthearted personality is how those who knew her best remember her.

“She was a very playful person and had a high spirit,” Blue said.

“You wouldn’t think that such a big person could be so funny, but she was most known for her playful attitude and her humor.”

While Polk was a joy to be around off the court, facing her on the court was never a fun task.

Polk was a first-team All-Pac-10 player in each of her first three seasons at Arizona. Her 46 career double-doubles, 222 blocked shots, and 9.7 rebounds per game career average all sit on top of the Wildcats’ leaderboard.

She also ranks fourth on the list in scoring average and points scored, and had a chance to move up the list this year.

Besides her amazing statistics, it was her aggressive spirit and mercilessness on the court that made facing Polk such a challenge for her opponents.

“She was very, very competitive,” Blue said. “Off the court we were friends, but on it, we were enemies. She has dominated the Pac-10 the past three seasons, and was the center of our attention when we prepared to face them.”

“She was Arizona women’s basketball.”

UCLA coach Kathy Olivier, along with Blue, were able to witness Polk’s domination first hand. In six career games against UCLA, Polk averaged 15.3 points and 11.2 rebounds per game.

“She had such a promising future,” Olivier told The Associated Press. “She had size, quickness, hands and knowledge of the game. She could go high-low, shoot, rebound. I saw her as one of the top picks in the WNBA draft.

“She was a great kid, who had a lot of enthusiasm and was well-liked. We’re all shocked. I can’t imagine what her family is going through.”

Perhaps the most shocking aspect for those affected by the news of Polk’s passing was the sudden nature with which it came about.

“In other circumstances, you can be around a person on their deathbed and there is time to reflect on the situation,” Blue said. “This just happened so fast.

“It makes you realize how grateful you have to be about life. You truly have to live life minute by minute, second by second.”