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Australia is mourning the loss of basketball star Tiana Mangakahia, who has died aged just 30 following a long and courageous battle with breast cancer.
The Queensland-born guard, remembered for her resilience, determination, and infectious personality, passed away on Thursday night surrounded by family and friends.
'Tiana was a shining light who touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, strength, and warmth. She fought right till the very end, showing courage and grace beyond words,' her family said in a statement.
'Though our hearts ache without her, her legacy and the love she gave will stay with us forever. We will continue to honour her in everything we do.
'We love you endlessly, Tiana, and will miss you always.'
Her death has sent shockwaves through the basketball community in Australia and abroad, where she was admired for her talent on the court and her courage off it.
Tributes have poured in across Australia after basketball star Tiana Mangakahia's passing at age thirty following her cancer battle
Mangakahia's 2023 comeback with Southern Districts Spartans highlighted her strength in the face of great adversity
Friends and family have remembered Tiana Mangakahia as a bright, determined, and beloved figure, taken far too soon
Australian Opals great Lauren Jackson led the chorus of tributes, with a host of images of the former Sydney Flames star and the message 'sending love' to the family.
Opals stars Ezi Magbegor and Tess Madgen along with Australian Boomers Jason Cadee and Chris Goulding were among a host of hoops stars to also pay tribute yesterday.
Mangakahia grew up in Brisbane and rose through the ranks at junior level with the Southern Districts Spartans where she was quickly earmarked as a future star of Australian basketball.
She made her debut in the WNBL in 2011 and went on to enjoy stints with the Townsville Fire and Sydney Flames before her talent carried her to the United States, where she became a standout at Syracuse University.
During the 2018/19 college season, she averaged 16.9 points, 8.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game, including a 44-point performance against Florida State that underlined her status as one of the best point guards in the NCAA.
That season put her firmly on the radar for the WNBA draft, but in 2019 Mangakahia's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery.
At just 25, her world was turned upside down, but her determination never wavered.
Even during treatment she spoke openly about her desire to return to basketball and prove herself among the game's elite, telling reporters that representing the Opals was her 'lifetime goal.'
Mangakahia earned bronze with the Opals at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup, fulfilling part of her lifelong dream
The final post from the much-loved Aussie basketball star as her health took a turn for the worse last week
'Dear basketball ... I know you'll be the biggest part of my comeback journey,' she wrote in 2020.
By 2020 she had been medically cleared to return to basketball and was focused on resuming her career.
Her comeback with Syracuse was hailed as one of the most inspirational moments in college sport, and she soon achieved a career high by winning bronze with the Opals at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup.
That year she also secured a training camp spot with WNBA side Phoenix Mercury, where she shared the court with one of her idols, Diana Taurasi, and was welcomed by former Opals captain Penny Taylor.
Returning to Australia, she joined the Sydney Flames in the WNBL, where she quickly became a fan favourite.
Her defining performance came in February 2023 during a tribute game for Lauren Jackson at Melbourne's John Cain Arena.
With Jackson injured in the opening minutes, Mangakahia seized the moment, scoring a career-best 26 points and sinking a decisive free throw in the final seconds to seal a one-point victory.
It was a performance that encapsulated her flair for the big stage.
Stage four cancer forced Mangakahia's retirement later in 2023, yet she remained active in basketball through coaching roles
She co-designed uniforms for New Zealand's Tokomanawa Queens, showcasing her creativity and ongoing connection to basketball beyond playing
The Pink Hoops initiative, inspired by Mangakahia, continues to honour her while supporting breast cancer research and community programs
But later that year, tragedy struck again when Mangakahia was diagnosed with stage four cancer.
Forced to step away from professional basketball, she turned to coaching, serving as an assistant with the Sydney Flames and NBL1 Sharks.
Earlier this year she made an emotional return to the court with the Southern Districts Spartans in the NBL1 North competition, helping guide them to a grand final series.
She had even signed with New Zealand's Tokomanawa Queens before her health deteriorated.
Off the court, Mangakahia was known for her courage, her style, and her willingness to share her journey.
She openly documented her treatment on social media, often posting images of herself embracing wigs and hairstyles with trademark humour and grace.
She helped raise significant awareness and funds for breast cancer research and charities, including through the 'Pink Hoops' initiative with the McGrath Foundation.
In recent years, the Sydney Flames and Kings dedicated fixtures to fundraising in her honour, with Mangakahia presenting the MVP award.
Tributes have poured in since news of her passing.
Basketball Australia described her as an inspiration, saying, 'Tiana inspired us all with her courage and resilience as she faced a second battle with breast cancer. Forever an Opal. Vale, Tiana Mangakahia.'
The WNBL also issued a statement praising her resilience and leadership, adding, 'She will be remembered for the joy she brought to all who knew her.'
