Syracuse鈥檚 Mangakahia returns to team after bout with breast cancer
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (BVM) — Tiana Mangakahia is officially back on the basketball court this year for the Orange after receiving an Extension of Eligibility waiver from the NCAA for her final season. The fifth-year guard has had a difficult journey back from a battle with cancer that took away her 2019 season.
After deciding to return to Syracuse University instead of declaring for the WNBA Draft, Mangakahia would get some unfortunate news following her 2019 campaign. Preparing for her senior season, the star guard would announce that she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.聽
In her titled, 鈥淚 Will Come Out Stronger,鈥� Mangakahia shared her emotions while talking about her upcoming fight with cancer.
鈥淛ust over a month ago, I found a lump on my left breast so I went to the health center and got it checked out,鈥� Mangakahia said. 鈥淭hroughout the following weeks, things have progressed quickly. I’ve undergone various tests and got a biopsy on Friday, June 14.
鈥淥n Tuesday, June 18, I got the results back and it was a day I will never forget. On this day, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer (Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma). As of right now I am starting chemotherapy on Friday and will have to undergo surgery after treatment.鈥�
After her diagnosis in June 2019, Mangakahia would undergo months of chemotherapy treatment, a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery.聽
The recent news of her eligibility waiver for the 2020-21 season was something that Mangakahia had been working hard for throughout the last year.
鈥淚 just want to say I鈥檓 super happy about this news,鈥� Mangakahia said via . 鈥淚 just feel very excited for the season and I feel very blessed to have this opportunity again.鈥�
鈥淛ust really thinking about everything, knowing I did all of that to be on the court,鈥� Mangakahia said. 鈥淚 got through all of that, now it鈥檚 time to step back and do what I came to Syracuse for.鈥�
She's officially back 馃檶 has been granted an Extension of Eligibility waiver by the NCAA.
— Syracuse Women's Basketball (@CuseWBB)
Mangakahia led the Orange in her junior season with 16.9 points per game and was the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) leader in assists with 287. Even before finishing her final season, Mangakahia is Syracuse鈥檚 all-time assists leader with 591 and is the fastest player in school history to score 1,000 career points and dish-out 500 career assists.
The Australian native has some important plans in her future. After deciding not to declare for the draft after an impressive 2019 season, Mangakahia will look to get back on path to the WNBA Draft this year. As a member of the Australian team already, Mangakahia also has her eyes set on playing in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Mangakahia and the Orange are preparing to play on Nov. 25 for their season opener.
