Former Syracuse basketball standout Tiana Mangakahia, whose promising career was interrupted by cancer, passed away Thursday at the age of 30, officials confirmed. Her fight against the disease had been widely praised for its “courage and resilience.”
Mangakahia, a point guard who led Syracuse in assists during each of her three seasons, died surrounded by family and friends in her hometown of Brisbane, Australia, the university said.
Syracuse coach Felisha Legette-Jack remembered Mangakahia as the “ultimate fighter,” highlighting her inspirational impact on teammates and fans. “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. “Her legacy will live forever at Syracuse. May she rest in peace.”
Mangakahia played two seasons at Syracuse before being diagnosed with breast cancer on June 18, 2019. She missed the 2019-20 season while undergoing a bilateral mastectomy and multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Though the cancer returned during the 2020-21 season, she earned an honorable mention All-ACC selection.
Together with now-Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso, Mangakahia led Syracuse to the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, where they fell to Connecticut and likely 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.
Her professional career included stops in Australia, Russia, and France. She played for the Sydney Flames in Australia’s WNBL before breast cancer recurred, forcing her to retire in the summer of 2023.
Basketball Australia said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tiana Mangakahia. Tiana inspired us all with her courage and resilience as she faced a second battle with breast cancer. Her return to the court earlier this year with the Southern Districts Spartans was a powerful reflection of her strength, determination, and enduring love for the game. Forever an Opal. Vale Tiana Mangakahia.”
Mangakahia had briefly come out of retirement to play for the semi-professional Southern Districts Spartans in 2025, demonstrating her enduring passion for basketball.
Upon retiring in 2023, she had shared that she had hoped to enjoy a long playing career before starting a family. She revealed at the time: “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.”
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