Tiana Mangakahia focuses on return to court after tossing cancer aside

Shunned by a mock draft after a dominant season for Syracuse University, a Brisbane product is motivated to become a top WNBA pick after overcoming cancer. LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST HERE.

OVERCOMING cancer would be enough for anyone, except for Tiana Mangakahia.

The Syracuse University women’s college basketball star is far from satisfied.

In fact, the Brisbane born Mangakahia still hasn’t forgotten a mock draft released ahead of the 2019 WNBA Draft as she prepares for a return to the court to re-establish herself as one of the top point guards in the US.

The 25-year-old had her best season for college powerhouse Syracuse in the 2018/19 season, averaging 16.9 points, 8.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds, including a 44-point game over Florida State.

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Her performances stamped herself as a legit WNBA prospect and most people were expecting the Redlands product to declare for the draft.

Tiana Mangakahia in action for Syracuse University.

But Mangakahia felt shunned by a mock draft and wanted to show the doubters that she was a “top pick”.

“When I was in the mock draft, they had me at late second round or third round and I didn’t feel comfortable going into the draft being predicted that,” Mangakahia said.

“I knew if I stayed another year, I’d be able to show what I can really do because I already improved from my first year to second year so from my second to third year I knew I’d improve.

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“I just felt if I played one more year, I’d be a top pick in the first round.

“It definitely motivated me to put in more extra work because In my second year I had played against Sabrina (Ionescu), Chennedy Carter and all these players that just got top five first round pick this year.

“So it made me motivated to show them I should be higher.”

Tiana Mangakahia during her battle with cancer. Picture: Instagram

However, being a top draft pick in the WNBA isn’t the only motivator for Mangakahia, who said she also had her eyes on winning a national championship with Syracuse as well as representing the Australian Opals at an Olympic Games.

Playing for her country at the senior level was a dream Mangakahia almost had in her hands after being selected for an Opals training camp in Phoenix last year.

“That (playing for the Opals) is my main goal, well, winning a national championship would be good, but playing for Australia is like a lifetime goal,” she said.

“I was supposed to go to the second camp in July in Phoenix, I think I would’ve done pretty good, I held my own (at a previous camp) for sure.

“I’m not sure whether I would’ve made it, just because it was my first year and I was getting used to the plays and the way that Sandy (Brondello) wants us to play but I was supposed to be at that camp.”

Tiana Mangakahia’s junior club, the Southern Districts Spartans, held an event to support the basketball star during her battle with cancer last year. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

After battling her way through the toughest hurdle in her life, Mangakahia is back home with her family working towards a return to the court whenever the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

The Southern Districts Spartans junior has been medically cleared for all basketball activities and said she can’t wait to get back playing the game she loves.

But she said it wouldn’t have been possible without the support she received from family, friends and other people from around the world who helped her during her battle with cancer.