Props to Mangakahia from Cuse

[Stinger92860]

I had no idea she was a breast cancer survivor. To come back and play D1 basketball is amazing. Her ability to come back and to survive is a testament to her heart and fight. I mentioned to my now wife that I loved her hair. I had no idea that her hair may have curled from chemo. My first wife died from breast cancer, unfortunately I’ve seen that.

Cancer sucks and I’m happy she won. Keep winning!

 

[SallyH]

What an incredible story. My son had testicular cancer at age 20. He survived and is the father of two wonderful kids. I hope the same for her.

 

[Jackalope]

And she also lead the NCAA in assists this year!

 

[cbraarj]

She's an inspiration to all Women everywhere!!! Like my sister who has beat it 4 times. A courageous and strong woman, A Hero!!!

 

[Boreifs]

I had no idea she was a breast cancer survivor. To come back and play D1 basketball is amazing. Her ability to come back and to survive is a testament to her heart and fight. I mentioned to my now wife that I loved her hair. I had no idea that her hair may have curled from chemo. My first wife died from breast cancer, unfortunately I’ve seen that.

Cancer sucks and I’m happy she won. Keep winning!

My first wife also died from breast cancer. I echo everything you wrote wholeheartedly.

 

[UcMiami]

I knew her story already. I watched a lot of the game with the sound off and was a little surprised when I heard them talking about it in the 4th Quarter. Did they not mention anything about it earlier, or in the pregame or halftime? Seemed the sort of story that should get a top billing, not used as filler late in a game already decided. Truly an heroic journey.

 

[noirwestern]

Her struggle with cancer has popped up in the news cycle a few times but would drop off the radar just as fast. She's one of the ones you hate to see lose, regardless of who they play. It's simply not possible to not like her. She reminds me of another one of those seemingly unbreakable survivors we faced a few times, Sam Fuehring. Hated to beat her. She, like Tiana deserves nothing but wins from here on out.

 

[Childhood]

thanks for sharing it.

 

[Kmoney]

What a beautiful person. Her postgame presser was very moving. Some people have a special energy to them. I wish her the best in all of her future endeavors.

 

[Millenial23]

Her struggle with cancer has popped up in the news cycle a few times but would drop off the radar just as fast. She's one of the ones you hate to see lose, regardless of who they play. It's simply not possible to not like her. She reminds me of another one of those seemingly unbreakable survivors we faced a few times, Sam Fuehring. Hated to beat her. She, like Tiana deserves nothing but wins from here on out.

What is Fuehring's story?

 

[JellyBean]

Yes! Mad props to Mangakahia. Great young lady who has battled through a lot and still going strong.

 

[Kevin G]

So much respect. I cannot fathom what this young lady has gone through. Many blessings to her.

 

[schmendrick]

I survived brain cancer, and I never wanted to be an inspiration or a "survivor"; I just wanted to live. So today I celebrate Tania Mangakahia for being an elite (and plucky) basketball player, a college student with a seemingly bright future, and a woman with the rest of her life in front of her.

 

[Waquoit]

I mentioned to my now wife that I loved her hair.

So did I. Now I wonder if it's a men of a certain age thing.

 

[tower1]

God bless this young lady and wish her the best of luck in her life. Tania Mangakahia you are a special person !

 

[Plebe]

I'm really glad someone posted this. Tiana Mangakahia burst onto the national scene as a sophomore, seemingly out of nowhere, and led the country in assists at 9.8 (!!!) per game. I first saw her in one of those Vegas tournaments with amateurish video coverage. I spent most of that season talking her up when no one seemed to know who she was. Love her passing skills, her sense of teamwork and her fighting spirit.

 

[Longtime fan]

I had no idea she was a breast cancer survivor. To come back and play D1 basketball is amazing. Her ability to come back and to survive is a testament to her heart and fight. I mentioned to my now wife that I loved her hair. I had no idea that her hair may have curled from chemo. My first wife died from breast cancer, unfortunately I’ve seen that.

Cancer sucks and I’m happy she won. Keep winning!

She is an amazing young woman. Too bad she can't play for Syracuse forever. But I guess her homeland ( Australia ) beckons. ( I know she is a fifth year senior anyway).

 

[MilfordHusky]

Here's Tiana's Syracuse bio. She sat out an entire season.

Tiana Mangakahia - Women's Basketball - Syracuse University Athletics

Tiana Mangakahia (4) Guard - International Experience Helped Australia to a third-place finish at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Cup in Lithuania, its best fini...

cuse.com

 

[maccca3232]

What a beautiful person. Her postgame presser was very moving. Some people have a special energy to them. I wish her the best in all of her future endeavors.

 

[Bajan Best]

How can you not love this young lady, I felt every word, every emotion, every expression of her interview, I think she is special and will go on to be successful with every endeavor she pursues, God Bless you @tianamanga!!!

 

[itsasport]

Some of the questions that she was asked in the presser were disgraceful.

 

[Stymie]

I watched ’cuse postgame presser just to hear her.
Went back and watched (her) again.
Incredibly dedicated, thankful, strong, focused woman who realizes what is really important in this life.
Obvious, to me, that she has a full and wonderful future ahead of her.
My upmost respect.

 

[ochoopsfan]

And she also lead the NCAA in assists this year!

Caitlin Clark leads the NCAA in assists this year with 209, and still counting. Ane Olaeta, of Cal Baptist was second with 196 and Didi Richards of Baylor is third with 178, and also still counting. Mangakahia has 145, in 20 games for a 7.2 APG average which puts her in a tie for 2nd, with Clark at 7.2 APG(Clark has played 29 games this season).
Olaeta leads in APG with 7.8

"Active" Career leaders Mangakahia is far ahead with 736, in I believe only 3 years. Olaeta has 646, Slocum has 613 and Didi Richards has 557.

NCAA Statistics

 

[eebmg]

So did I. Now I wonder if it's a men of a certain age thing.

Hair + accent.

 

[Jackalope]

Caitlin Clark leads the NCAA in assists this year with 209, and still counting. Ane Olaeta, of Cal Baptist was second with 196 and Didi Richards of Baylor is third with 178, and also still counting. Mangakahia has 145, in 20 games for a 7.2 APG average which puts her in a tie for 2nd, with Clark at 7.2 APG(Clark has played 29 games this season).
Olaeta leads in APG with 7.8

"Active" Career leaders Mangakahia is far ahead with 736, in I believe only 3 years. Olaeta has 646, Slocum has 613 and Didi Richards has 557.

NCAA Statistics

You are correct. I should have said Assists per game. Mangakahia led the NCAA's with 7.25 APG (145/20) while Clark had 7.21 APG (209/29). No tie, as the official NCAA stats do show :

NCAA College Women's Basketball DI current individual Stats | NCAA.com

Discover the current NCAA Division I Women's Basketball leaders in every stats category, as well as historic leaders.

www.ncaa.com