'I will live forever': Tiana's inspirational message ahead of NBL1 return

• Tiana Mangakahia will make her return with the Southern Districts Spartans on Friday
• It will be the former WNBL star's first game since March, 2023 as she battles breast cancer
• Mangakahia won the NBL1 North MVP in 2022

This weekend will see the anticipated return of NBL1 basketball in Queensland, but the opening round will see an inspirational comeback that means much more than the game.

Battling metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage four or advanced breast cancer, Tiana Mangakahia will take to the court for the first time in a professional or semi-professional game in more than two years when she represents her junior club the Southern Districts Spartans in the NBL1 North.

The former WNBL star and Syracuse University college basketball had just won the NBL1 North MVP in 2022 with the Northside Wizards and was looking set for an even bigger year in 2023 before she received the devastating news her illness was back after playing just one game.

Determined not to let her life-threatening battle pull her away from the game she loves, Mangakahia has since spent her time as an assistant coach with the Sydney Uni Flames but has never given up on her dream to break some ankles and hit some step-back threes on the court once again.

Going against doctor's orders, the 30-year-old former Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder said she was not going to let her battle impact her ability to still chase her goals.

"I have just started a new chemotherapy treatment, I have been on three different treatments since October and will continue to be on treatment and continue to be positive," Mangakahia told basketball.com.au.

"I will push through the norm and I won’t let myself drown in the mentality of a victim. Of course I have my moments of sadness where I lean on God, my parents and brothers support.

"Even though the doctors recommend I don’t play, I am feeling great physically, I’m not in any pain and am feeling great with my body."

Just days away from her first game since March, 2023, Mangakahia told basketball.com.au why she wanted to hit the court again despite facing such serious challenges off the court.

"I wouldn’t say it was important for me to get back on the court, it’s just something I believe I am capable of doing. As well as inspiring others that they are also capable of doing things they never thought they would be able to do," she said.

"I’m feeling excited, nervous, happy, thankful and blessed, it makes me emotional knowing that I’ll be back on the court.

"Basketball has been a part of my life since I was five, it was my first love. I feel extremely grateful for my support system. My family have helped me mentally, more than I could ever describe. I feel blessed to have my family's support in everything I choose to do.

"God has also played a role in my life. I know without his comfort I wouldn’t be where I am today."

Having played just more than a season of NBL1 with Northside, Mangakahia is back where she belongs at the Spartans -the club which helped mould her game as a junior before she starred as a youngster in a senior team, which won the SEABL championship in 2014. Friday's clash with the Logan Thunder will be the first time Mangakahia has worn the 'darkside' jersey at the senior level since 2015.

"It means so much to me to be wearing a Spartans uniform, I played at Spartans in every age group from under-12s to 18s, it’s my home. It feels amazing to be back home," she said.

"I have been doing well during trainings and our practice games. I'm definitely a different player to the player I was in 2022 when I won MVP of the league. It’s hard to understand why can’t I do this or that and I have to remind myself I am going through chemotherapy treatment, I need to give myself some grace."

Spartans general manager, Rebecca Stephens, was also emotional about Mangakahia's return having played an integral role in her life as her coach in juniors and also with the Wizards in 2022.

"I couldn't be happier for her, I've got a long history with T, so, it just feels a little bit like the planets have aligned that I'm back here and she was able to play and she was back living in Brisbane," Stephens said.

"The response to her coming back and playing for us has been one of excitement, but also, a lot of people who are inspired by her are looking forward to watching her play back at home as well. But the response has just been overwhelming, the post about her signing had like over 5000 views, so obviously there's a lot of buzz and excitement around it."

The usually powerful Spartans women haven't won a championship in five years and Stephens also saw Mangakahia as the right player to help lead them back to the promise land.

"She brings that win at all costs and just that toughness and that strength to the group that we felt like the group needed to be able to get us across the line with the championship," she said.

Mangakahia is not only doing this for herself, she is doing it to show young female athletes what they are capable of and to also provide inspiration to other women going through similar struggles to what she has been through.

"I get messages everyday from survivors or others going through it, expressing their gratitude towards me. Positivity is something that has helped me over the years and I will continue to be positive," she said.

"It’s easy to get in a hole, be sad and cry, however, I truly believe in myself and I believe I will live forever. Like I said when I was first re-diagnosed two years ago.

“Cancer does scare me but not living my life to the fullest scares me more."

Mangakahia and Southern Districts will take on the Logan Thunder on Friday from 6pm at the Cornubia Park Sports Centre.