Syracuse's Tiana Mangakahia Announces She's Cancer-Free

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Syracuse senior guard Tiana Mangakahia is officially cancer-free, the university announced on Thursday.

Mangakahia was battling diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer since June and underwent her final surgery on Wednesday. 

"It went good, actually," coach Quentin Hillsman told Syracuse.com on Thursday. "She's doing well. She's in good spirits."

Last month, several of Mangakahia's joined her for her eighth and final chemotherapy treatment. 

A Brisbane, Australia native, Mangakahia led Syracuse in scoring last season with 16.9 points per game and also averaged 4.9 rebounds for the Orange in 2018. She was named first-team All-ACC as a sophomore and junior and led Division I in assists (304) and assists per game (9.8) her sophomore campaign. 

Mangakahia, a graduate student, will sit out this season and sit on the bench with Hillsman during games. She plans to petition the NCAA for an extra season of eligibility in 2020-21.

While she's waiting to return to the court, Mangakahia recently said her journey has provided her with a new perspective on life.

"The main things I've learned about myself is in my head like being mentally like strong and life still goes on and even though I'm sick and everything, life still goes on," she told CNYCentral.com. "I think it's helped me really connect with myself and know that no matter what comes at me I'll be fine."