Syracuse, N.Y. - A Syracuse University women’s basketball player has announced she has breast cancer.
24 year old Mangakahia, a native of Australia, has been diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer and will begin chemotherapy on Friday, and also have surgery after treatment. In a statement released today she says “I know this will be tough, but I will get through it. This is just the beginning for me and I will come out stronger.
In just two years in the program, she became the fastest player in school history to score 1,000 career points and tally 500 assists this season and is SU’s all-time leader in assists with 591.
She forgoed going to the WNBA to play another year at S.U.
Coach Quentine Hiullsman tweeted out...
This is devasting news for Tiana and our entire Syracuse family. I am heartbroken. Tianna is a tough lady. She will have the complete support of everyone associated with our program as she goes through her treatment. Tiana is a grinder and I know she won't back down fron this challenge.