By ARTHUR H. ROTSTEIN, Associated Press Writer
September 26, 2005 TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Shawntinice Polk, a top women's basketball player at the University of Arizona, collapsed at the McKale Center on Monday and died, university officials said.

Polk wasn't working out or practicing when she collapsed about midmorning and was taken to University Medical Center, officials said.

Athletic director Jim Livengood said Polk wasn't feeling well when she arrived at the Center, but he wouldn't elaborate. He said the circumstances surrounding Polk's death were still being reviewed.

The university's president, Peter Likins, said Polk's teammates and other university athletes were grieving. ``We lost a dear, dear friend in Shawntinice Polk this morning,'' Likins said.

``She was a beautiful, beautiful person whom I will cherish for the rest of my life,'' Likins said, his voice breaking.

Polk was an All-Pac-10 player three years in a row beginning with the 2002-03 season, and was the school's career leader in blocked shots and double-doubles.