"I feel very loved": Tiana Mangakahia on fighting cancer and celebrating Pink Hoops

The former college and WNBL standout is embracing her next chapter as an assistant coach with the Sydney Flames.

Image Credit: Credit May Bailey / Clusterpix

Midway through last year, Tiana Mangakahia got some life-changing news. Again.

After having completed an exciting first WNBL season with the Sydney Flames, she learned that the breast cancer she had fought for years had returned. She’d been diagnosed with stage four (or advanced) cancer, which meant the disease had spread to other parts of her body.

“It was hard; very sad and emotional,” Mangakahia told The Pick and Roll. “I was in pain, so I didn't want to play because of that pain, but it was also really hard for me to hang up the shoes because I thought I'd be able to play again.”