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.”