Former Syracuse University basketball star Tiana Mangakahia, whose career was cut short by cancer, died on Thursday as the “ultimate fighter” 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 passed, 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 on 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 in a loss to Connecticut and likely 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
