SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Tiana Mangakahia, a former standout guard for Syracuse University’s women’s basketball team, has died at the age of 30 according to her family.
Mangakahia, originally from Australia, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, which led her to sit out the following season. Despite undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, she made a triumphant return to the court during the 2020-2021 season, a challenging time due to the pandemic.
Just days before her passing, Mangakahia shared on Instagram that she was experiencing “significant physical decline” during her latest battle with cancer and was focusing on spending time with family and friends.
Mangakahia had an illustrious career at Syracuse. As a sophomore, she was named a top-10 finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award and led the nation in assists. In her junior year, she became the fastest player in program history to score 1,000 points.
In 2021, Mangakahia was honored with the Bob Bradley Spirit and Courage Award, which is given annually to an individual in the Atlantic Coast Conference who has overcome significant hardship. The award commemorates Bob Bradley, a Hall of Fame sports information director at Clemson University who also battled cancer.
She eventually retired from basketball altogether in 2023, switching over to coach the Sydney Flames.
The Syracuse community and many others are mourning her loss and sending prayers to her family. Mangakahia will be deeply missed.