Former Syracuse basketball star Tiana Mangakahia dies at 30 following cancer fight

Former Syracuse University basketball star Tiana Mangakahia, whose career was cut short by cancer, died on Thursday as the "ultimate fighter" against the disease, officials said.

Former Syracuse University basketball star Tiana Mangakahia, whose career was cut short by cancer, died on Thursday as the "ultimate fighter" against the disease, officials said.

She was 30.

Mangakahia, a point guard who led the Orange in assists in each of her three seasons with Syracuse, was "surrounded by family and friends in her hometown of Brisbane, Australia," when she passed, the school said.

Syracuse coach Felisha Legette-Jack called Mangakahia the "ultimate fighter" and said the player inspired many.

“We talk about ‘We Fight On’ with our women’s basketball team. Tiana embraced it, she lived it and inspired others through her fight," Legette-Jack said in a statement. "We are fortunate to have had Tiana as one of our own. Her legacy will live forever at Syracuse. May she rest in peace.”