A star guard with the Syracuse women’s basketball team from 2017-2021, Tiana Mangakahia has passed after battling cancer at the age of 30. Syracuse Director of Athletics, John Wildhack said, “Tiana defined courage, inspiration and passion. An All-American on the basketball court she was an even better person off the court. She was kind, considerate, caring, and always uplifting even during the most challenging of times.”
In November 2019 Mangakahia underwent surgery while battling stage 2 grade 3 breast cancer and had to forgo the 2019-2020 season. She returned to the court a year later. She earned All-ACC honors in all three seasons with first team honors twice. During her time with the team she helped lead the Orange to three NCAA Tournaments including a top-16 seed.
Tiana Mangakahia
Following her collegiate career Tiana Mangakahia signed a training camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA and played professionally in Russia, France and Australia. In 2021 she helped Australia to a bronze medal in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
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Mangakahia retired from basketball in 2023 when cancer returned but returned in 2025 to play with her hometown club the Southern District Spartans finishing with 12.1 points and 3.6 assists per game.
She passed away on September 11 surrounded by family and friends in Brisbane.
