Syracuse’s Mangakahia to return for final season with women’s basketball team

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University junior guard Tiana Mangakahia says she’s returning to school for her final year of eligibility with the women’s basketball team.

The All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) player had considered declaring for the 2019 WNBA Draft, but has opted to remain in school, Syracuse said in a Monday news release.

“After a lot of consideration, I have decided to return for my senior season at Syracuse,” Mangakahia said in the release. “Over the last two years, my teammates and I have accomplished so much but I know we have only scratched the surface of our true potential. I hope to make this upcoming season my best yet and look forward to seeing our fans supporting us all across the country.”

Syracuse women’s basketball finished the season 25-9 overall and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to South Dakota State in the Carrier Dome. The Orange will return four of their five starters from the previous two years, a group that has started 65 straight games together, the school said.

“I am extremely excited that Tiana is returning,” Syracuse University women’s basketball head coach Quentin Hillsman said. “The experience that we will have in our backcourt is exciting and promising for next year.”

About Mangakahia

In two seasons at Syracuse, Mangakahia has scored 1,114 points and became the program’s all-time leader in assists with 591.

She is a two-time All-ACC First Team selection; a Nancy Lieberman Award finalist; and a six-time ACC Player of the Week. Mangakahia earned All-ACC Tournament first team honors after guiding the Orange to the semifinals of the 2019 ACC Tournament and helped Syracuse secure its highest NCAA Tournament seed (No. 3) in program history.

A native of Brisbane, Australia, Mangakahia transferred to Syracuse from Hutchinson Community College in 2017 with three years of eligibility remaining.

Mangakahia recorded the first points-rebounds-assists triple double in Syracuse women’s basketball history. She also holds program records in assists in a game (17); assists in a season (304); career free-throw percentage (.878); and was the fastest player in program history to score 1,000 points. She scored a career-high 44 points in two Syracuse games.

Mangakahia will earn her bachelor’s degree in communication and rhetorical studies from Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts in May, the university said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com