Mangakahia Will Turn Pro After the Season
The superb Syracuse career of star point guard Tiana Mangakahia will end at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season. Mangakahia made it official on Wednesday during a media availability when she stated she would not be returning to Syracuse next season.
"I want to go pro," Mangakahia said. "And I feel ready."
Indeed she is. Mangakahia is the career leader in assists at Syracuse. She is going finish in the top five in total assists in ACC history despite only playing three seasons (everyone else in the top five has four years worth of statistics) and number one in assists per game.
A native of Australia, she has spent her college career thousands of miles away from her home. When asked to reflect on her time in Central New York, she gave a teary eyed response.
"It's meant so much to me just being here," Mangakahia said. "It's going to be really emotional this weekend. Just everything I've been through. When I first got here coach Q has believed and trusted in me since I stepped on campus. I'll just be very grateful."
Mangakahia is one of the best sports stories of the season. She was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer, beat the disease and missed all of last season as she recovered. Mangakahia returned this year and has played at a high level. She is averaging over 11 points, 7.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting over 36% from three point range. She will be remembered as one of the best in program history.
Syracuse is currently 11-6 (8-6) with two regular season games remaining. The first is against Boston College Thursday night.
