Star basketball player found dead after choking on chewing gum in her sleep

A star basketball player has died after choking on chewing gum in her sleep.

College student Shanice Clark, who attended California University of Pennsylvania, was found dead in her apartment in the early hours of the morning.

Police have now revealed they believe the 21-year-old died accidentally after choking on the gum while she slept.

The 6-foot forward, who was from Toronto in Canada, was a star with the university's Vulcans basketball team, the New York Daily News reported.

Writing on Twitter, the NCAA women's basketball posted a tribute to Clark, who was found at 3am on Sunday.

Along with a picture of Clark, the group wrote: "We mourn with @CalVulcans the passing of senior Shanice Clark."

Investigators are still waiting on the results of an autopsy and blood tests.