Former Syracuse University basketball star Tiana Mangakahia, whose career was cut short by cancer, died Thursday after showing inspiring “courage and resilience” against the disease, officials said.
She was 30.
Mangakahia, a point guard who led the Orange in assists in each of her three seasons with Syracuse, was "surrounded by family and friends in her hometown of Brisbane, Australia," when she died, the school said.
Syracuse coach Felisha Legette-Jack called Mangakahia the "ultimate fighter" and said the player inspired many.
“We talk about ‘We Fight On’ with our women’s basketball team. Tiana embraced it, she lived it and inspired others through her fight," Legette-Jack said in a statement. "We are fortunate to have had Tiana as one of our own. Her legacy will live forever at Syracuse. May she rest in peace.”
Mangakahia had played two seasons for Syracuse when she was diagnosed with breast cancer June 18, 2019. She missed the 2019-20 season, having a bilateral mastectomy and several rounds of chemotherapy.
The cancer weakened Mangakahia and came back to play in 2020-21 and was named an honorable mention all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.
Mangakahia and now-Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso led Syracuse to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2021 when their season ended with a loss to Connecticut and likely 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.
Mangakahia's professional career took her to hardwood floors in Australia, Russia and France.
She was playing for the Sydney Flames, of Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), when the breast cancer returned and forced her retirement in summer 2023.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tiana Mangakahia," according to a statement by Basketball Australia, governing body of the sport Down Under. "Tiana inspired us all with her courage and resilience as she faced a second battle with breast cancer."
Mangakahia came out of retirement and returned for a brief stint with the semi-professional Southern Districts Spartans earlier this year.
"Her return to the court in the NBL1 earlier this year with the Southern Districts Spartans was a powerful reflection of her strength, determination, and enduring love for the game," Basketball Australia said.
“Forever an Opal. Vale Tiana Mangakahia.”
When she hung up the sneakers in 2023, Mangakahia said she had dreamed of enjoying a nice long hoops career before someday getting married and having children.
“I never thought I’d be writing this until I was ready to have children with my future husband,” Mangakahia said at the time.
“Without going into too much detail I have recently been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer which has spread into other areas of my body. Sadly, I have been informed by specialists it’s time for me to retire and think about life after being a professional athlete.”
