Tiana Mangakahia will live on in Syracuse Orange Nation's collective heart forever

Tributes are pouring in on Friday after devastating news came out that former Syracuse women's basketball star guard Tiana Mangakahia passed away on September 11 at the age of 30, according to an announcement from SU Athletics.

Mangakahia, who had courageously battled breast cancer for several years, was surrounded by family members and friends in her hometown of Brisbane, Australia, when she died. Orange Nation is sending all the love in the world to Tiana, her family and her loved ones.

In a statement, Syracuse Orange athletics director John Wildhack said in part, "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."

That's what I will always admire the most about Mangakahia. Her kindness, her caring for others and her positive spirit.

The head coach of Syracuse women's basketball, Felisha Legette-Jack, added, "We talk about 'We Fight On' with our women's basketball team. Tiana embraced it, she lived it and inspired others through her fight. We are fortunate to have had Tiana as one of our own. Her legacy will live forever at Syracuse. May she rest in peace."

Those are beautiful words from Coach.

Tiana Mangakahia was a wonderful human being on and off the court.

Mangakahia was a standout for the 'Cuse from 2017-21. During her career on the Hill, she was a two-time All-ACC first-team selection and also a two-time WBCA Division I Coaches All-America honorable mention selection.

When she graduated from SU, Mangakahia held program records for career assists (736), assists per game (8.7) and free-throw percentage (87.3 percent). While a member of the Orange, Mangakahia helped lead Syracuse women's basketball to three NCAA Tournaments.

She missed the 2019-20 season after undergoing surgery in November of 2019 as she battled breast cancer. Mangakahia, an inspiration to everyone in the greater Syracuse community, returned to the court a year later.

In March of 2021, Mangakahia was named the recipient of the 16th annual Bob Bradley Spirit and Courage Award, which is given out by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association and the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Mangakahia would go on to play professionally in Russia, France and Australia. She retired from basketball in 2023 when her cancer returned. But Mangakahia, in 2025, signed with her hometown club, the Southern District Spartans in Australia's NBL1. She averaged 12.1 points, 3.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game.

Love you, Tiana. Your star will shine bright in the collective heart of Orange Nation forever.