Basketballers to honour their late Queen Tiana

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The 2025 Tauihi season carries a deeper meaning for the Tokomanawa Queens, as they honour a Queen of basketball, Tiana Mangakahia.

Mangakahia was a talented Australian basketballer who passed away two weeks ago following a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was set to play for the Queens this season.

The team's latest star signing and Australian championship winning guard, Bec Cole, says it will be special to honour Mangakahia this year.

"It has so much [more meaning]. I even have goosebumps talking about it now," Cole said.

This year the Queens will have a Piki Pink Round and have changed their away strip to pink to honour Mangakahia, and show their support for the Breast Cancer Cure charitable trust.

"Basketball is just a game and unfortunately we don't have a Queen with us this season. But we are always going to feel her especially in that strip," Cole said.

"We have something more to play for than just a win, we want to play hard. We want to leave it all on the floor and we also want to enjoy our time together on court for Tiana because that's what she would have wanted and that's how she would have played."

Cole says Mangakahia inspired so many on and off the hardwood.

"She's left such a big impact on so many people. She's an inspiration to so many to live your life to the full. She will be so dearly missed but we will definitely be talking about her a lot this season.

"Tiana always had a glass half full, and she always saw the positive things in life. On the court she was just a baller, she was a gangster out there and was so good and so savvy. But most of all she was so kind and caring and really had a love for the people around her and a love for the game."

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Just three months ago, 33-year-old Cole didn't know much about Tauihi but she knew that it was a league on the rise.

"I knew that it was new and it's building every season. There's more international players coming here and more big names. I think it is really making a name for itself," Cole said.

Cole's good friend and fellow Australian teammate Lou Brown played for the Queens in 2024 and she was curious to know more about her experience.

The pair won a championship together for the Southside Melbourne Flyers in 2024.

Cole says Brown had "nothing but good things to say about the league and the Queens."

She also reached out to Tauihi founder Justin Nelson who then connected her with Queens General Manager Walter Taulelei.

"I had my first conversation with Walter and he seemed like an awesome guy. I really trusted my gut and something in me was telling me this is the place I should go."

It was while she was on holiday in Queenstown in June that she told Taulelei over the phone she was ready to put pen to paper.

"I feel like it was fate that I was supposed to come here. The club was super patient with me and they definitely made me feel very valued and wanted. That's great as an athlete because you want to go perform where you feel safe."

Taulelei said Cole was a welcome addition to the Queens.

"You have to look at the whole picture to appreciate her infectious energy, professionalism, and a genuine love for the game," Taulelei said. "Bec fits our culture. There are levels in this game, and her story of resilience is relevant, and in some ways, explains her will to compete."

The Queens won the inaugural Tauihi title in 2022 and have played in every Grand Final since.

Just like the Queens, Cole is no stranger to success and her resume speaks for itself. A two-time WNBL Champion, Flyers club MVP, NBL1 champion and 3×3 FIBA World Cup leading scorer. Plus Asia Cup gold and bronze medalist, as well as Asia Cup MVP.

Cole is known for her lethal scoring ability, skill to make quick decisions under pressure and creating opportunities for her teammates. Her leadership and offensive expertise will be huge for the Queens this season.

Sport is in Cole's DNA. Her dad Gary played for the Socceroos and has worked as an A-League Director.

Growing up Cole's sisters played soccer while she would go and watch their games. As the youngest child, Cole followed her sisters wherever they went and was always making new friends.

When her sisters were taking part in long jump, she would be at the end of the sand pit thinking she was at the beach.

She was asked to fill in for a basketball team and was hooked. A young Cole was obsessed with the playing uniforms and begged her mum to sign her up for the team.

By the time she was 15, she was representing the state in athletics, netball and basketball. But when it was time to commit to one, she knew instantly it was basketball.

Cole has a close bond with her parents who she calls her "best friends."

"Dad has been great my whole career whether he tells me I need to pull my head in and do better. Or if I need a shoulder to cry on, he's always there with words of encouragement and praise," Cole said.

"And when Dad was super busy Mum was driving me to all my trainings and without her I definitely wouldn't be the player that I am today."

In 2019, Cole's dad Gary was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He's been in remission for a few years now and is doing well.

Cole became an ambassador for Lymphoma Australia as a way to help raise awareness and give back.

"It made me realise there is more to life than just putting a ball in a hoop. It's really important that you get around and love the people that are nearest and dearest. Not everyone has time on their side," Cole said.

"It makes me appreciate the game a lot more and that I get to play. That's why when I train or play I do it like it's the last time I'm ever going to do it."

On the court, Cole describes herself as a "smiling assassin." She prides herself on her passion and spirit. When she's on your team you know that she's going to have your back.

Cole says Tauihi fans can "get ready for some good vibes.

"I'm someone who is very competitive and loves to win. That's something that also led me to the Queens. I want to help them bring another championship back home to Wellington and I want to get that crown."

"I want to bring my leadership and experience, create for my teammates, and be really aggressive on defence."

"We have a great captain Stella [Beck] and any way that she needs me to help her lead that's what I want to do. We're going to get this done by playing as a team and that's something I really enjoy."

Cole has been in Wellington for nearly two weeks and has settled in nicely to her new home.

"The scenery is so beautiful and I'm mesmerised by New Zealand and what it has to offer. I've been in the city and I really love the vibe, all the people are really nice and I can't wait to explore more on our off days."

Ahead of the new season, the Queens squad were welcomed into Takapuwahia Marae in Porirua by Ngāti Toa Rangatira. It was a unique experience for Cole who also got to try her first hāngī and says she's excited to learn more about Māori culture.

"It was a really wholesome and beautiful experience that I felt very privileged to have the opportunity to do with my teammates and staff," Cole said.

Off the court, Cole has worked for basketball.com.au as a contributor and hosted a series called 'It's a Cole World.'

She's passionate about using basketball as a vehicle to speak her truth.

"It's really important as you get older and wiser, you realise you are more than just a basketball player. When you know that your value isn't based on if we win a game or how many points I scored, it's a lot more fun to play."

"I love that I have the opportunity to be able to use basketball as a vessel to shine a light on these amazing athletes. The women before me paved the way for me to have what I have now. So you always want to leave the game in a better place than you found it."