Mangakahia Makes Opals Debut in FIBA Women's Asia Cup

Syracuse's all-time leader in assists, Tiana Mangakahia, made her Australian Women's National Team debut earlier this week at the 2021 FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Jordan. Mangakahia earned the start and recorded two assists and two rebounds in her first game with the Opals, a 76-65 win over Chinese Taipei. In Australia's second game, Mangakahia scored eight points, had two rebounds, an assist and a steal in the Opals120-56 rout of Philippines.

Mangakahia's journey to the Opals roster hasn't been easy. After beating breast cancer during what should have been her senior season at Syracuse, she returned to the court to earn All-ACC honors and WBCA Division I Coaches All-America Honorable Mention in 2020-21. Mangakahia went undrafted in the 2021 WNBA Draft and was invited to Phoenix Mercury Training Camp but was cut from the roster just before the start of the season.

With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics taking place in August, Mangakahia hoped to get selected as a member of the Opals Olympic team but again her name was not called. Patience and persistence has paid off as Mangakahia was named to the final roster for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup last month.

Australia went 3-1 in group play and advanced to the FIBA Asia Cup semifinals on Saturday, Oct. 2. Australia beat New Zealand 72-61 to finish second in Group B and earn a spot in the final four teams. Mangkahia saw court time in the first three games for Australia but did not play in the Group B finale vs. New Zealand. The Opals, who rank No. 3 in the world, will face Japan at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Syracuse University Athletics

Mangakahia Makes Opals Debut in FIBA Women's Asia Cup

Players Mentioned

Tiana Mangakahia

Related Videos