Perspective. It's something Tiana Mangakahia's had a healthy dose of in the past few years as she's gone from top US college player and WNBA draft prospect, to breast cancer survivor, to now re-building her career in the WNBL.
More than three years after being diagnosed with stage two breast cancer, and two years since returning to the court, the Brisbane native has finally found her happy place once again as she prepares to make her Sydney Flames debut.
"I feel like there's a lot of other important things in life than basketball, where (before) I just cared about basketball and nothing else," the 27-year-old told ABC Sport.
"I think being in Sydney has helped me love the game again.
"I can't believe I went through it. I think back and it actually makes me emotional because I don't reflect on it much.
"I wouldn't want that to happen to anybody and I'm just so proud of where I am now.
"And I'm so grateful to be here playing basketball in Australia."
Career interrupted by cancer diagnosis
Mangakahia was a promising young talent, she had stints in the WNBL as a teenager and represented Australia at the junior level.
She went to the US to further her career, joining Syracuse University in 2017.
In her first two seasons her talent was obvious — she earned selection in the Opals' preliminary Tokyo Olympics squad and was touted as a top eight WNBA draft pick.
But her destiny was up-ended when she found a lump in her breast while showering in June, 2019.
"I was probably playing the best basketball that I've ever played; I was the fittest I'd ever been," she said.
"And then when I was diagnosed, everything kind of fell apart.
"I didn't know what was really happening, I didn't know what I was going do when I first got the news. I was just really scared and confused."
Her coach urged the then 24-year-old to remain in upstate New York for her treatment, with the full support of the University.
Her parents and five brothers took turns staying with her in the US throughout her four months of chemotherapy.
"I feel like I was a little bit in denial that I had it. I still went out with my friends, I was still acting as if I was completely fine," she said.
"When chemo started, it was fine for the first two weeks.
"And then when my hair started falling out, it was really confronting, like, 'oh my gosh, I can't believe it's actually happening'."
"That's when I was really upset, I was probably at my lowest."
After chemotherapy, Mangakahia had a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery.
"The main thing I needed to remember was to stay positive," she said.
"When I met with the oncologist the first time he already had a plan, and I just trusted that process.
"I really believed that all of the steps that I had to take will get me back on the court and to live free and happy and not have to worry about this in the back of my mind."
'Choosing basketball over life'
Nearly a year after her diagnosis, Mangakahia retuned to training with Syracuse – she made her official comeback a few months later.
"Coming back to basketball, it was so hard," she said.
"It was probably a lot mentally harder than going through (treatment).
"When I came back, my game wasn't the same, I wasn't as fit, I was still on medication."
Mangakahia was on a common medication used for breast cancer treatment for two years, but it gave her menopausal symptoms including hot flushes and weight gain.
"I told the doctors I don't want to be on this medicine, I cannot (be on it) for my career,
"The doctor pretty much told me I'm choosing basketball over my life.
"But I just felt like that's what I needed.
"I haven't been on it now for a year and a bit, and my body's completely changed. That's why I believe I can see that change in my body and in my game."
Ready to light up the WNBL
Mangakahia missed selection in the WNBA draft last year, although she participated in a training camp with Phoenix Mercury, and she also played in Russia.
She still felt she had unfinished business overseas, but Sydney Flames coach Shane Heal had other ideas.
"I've known Tiana since she was 12, she was really good friends with my eldest daughter and I coached against her all the way through juniors," Heal said.
"I saw the potential that she's got, and I think she's scratching the surface of her career.
"We had a really frank and open discussion about where she's at in her career and where I think she could go to, and we think we can help her and we think she can help us."
"When he approached me, it was a pretty easy yes," Mangakahia said.
"He explained to me his vision for me and how he can develop my game, and I believe in him, and I trust him."
Heal believes he can get the best out of his star signing.
"There's no doubt that she could play in the WNBA, she could play for the Opals," he said.
"Some of that's just learning a little bit more about the game and structures that she's playing and understanding of the game.
"But she's got a motor, and I'm trying to get her back to how she was as a kid.
"She was one of the most relentless defenders that I saw across the country growing up, and she's already showed signs that she's getting back to that level."
While Mangakahia still has big dreams, she's holding onto that all important perspective that she's gained too.
"I want to play at the Olympics, I want to play in the WNBA. And I also want a family, I want to have kids," she said.
"I'm gonna work as hard as I can to accomplish those (basketball) goals.
"But it's not like how I used to be, there's other things in life that I care about as well."
This story is part of the ABC Sport series 'Women in Sport Spotlight'. Watch it on iview here.
