Photo: Kinga Krzeminska / Moment / Getty Images
A memorial service is being held today in Syracuse for Tiana Mangakahia, a former star of Syracuse University's women's basketball team. Mangakahia passed away at the age of 30 after battling breast cancer. She last played for the Orange during the 2020-2021 season.
Mangakahia, originally from Australia, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, which caused her to sit out the following season. Despite undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, she made a remarkable return to the court during the 2020-2021 season, a time that was also challenging due to the pandemic. As a sophomore, Mangakahia was named a top-10 finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award and led the nation in assists. She became the fastest player in Syracuse history to score 1,000 points during her junior year.
In 2021, Mangakahia received the Bob Bradley Spirit and Courage Award, which is given to an Atlantic Coast Conference player who has overcome significant hardship. The award honors Bob Bradley, a Hall of Fame sports information director at Clemson University who also battled cancer.
Mangakahia retired from basketball in 2023 and began coaching the Sydney Flames. According to CNY Central, she shared on Instagram shortly before her passing that she was experiencing "significant physical decline" and was focusing on spending time with family and friends.
She will be buried in her native Australia, and a Zoom link for her service will go live at 8:30 p.m. Eastern. The Syracuse community and many others are mourning her loss and sending prayers to her family. Mangakahia will be deeply missed.