Last Tear Poa parents are Natasha Kairangi Poa and Philip Poa. Tear Poa is an Australian college basketball player at Louisiana State University.
It was relatively easy for her as her mother and father boast a noteworthy athletic past. Philip, a retired boxer inspired her to play basketball from an early age.
Growing up in Melbourne, Australia with her brother Kingston, Poa showed a sign of exceptional qualities from the onset, which paved a solid bedrock for her pursuit of a basketball career.
After graduating from Lake Ginninderra College, Poa attended Northwest Florida State College before moving to LSU in 2022.
Led by coach Kim Mulkey, Poa is the heart of the star-studded LSU tigers which boasts names like Angel Reese and LaDazhia Williams. The team won the NCAA Division I women's college basketball after a thumping victory over Iowa Hawkeyes in April 2023.
Last Tear Poa Childhood
Last Tear Poa spent her childhood in her hometown of Melbourne, Victoria in Australia. She was raised by her dad Phillip and mom Natasha Kairangi Poa.
With a mother who was a talented basketball player and a father who excelled in boxing, Poa was seemingly destined for a career in athletics.
Poa's love for basketball blossomed when she was just 10 years old, leading to a series of impressive performances in her homeland of Australia.
Despite getting a later start in basketball than some of her peers, she quickly rose through the Women's National Basketball League system ranks, showcasing her formidable skills on the court.
With an unwavering drive to succeed, she made the bold decision to pursue her dreams in the United States after graduating from Templestowe College. Poa made an immediate impact as a standout player for Northwest Florida State College.
She first arrived in the United States in July 2017. Her mother Natasha penned a long emotional goodbye note on Facebook waving goodbye to her sweet little girl and wishing her all the luck in the world for the next chapter in her career.
Natasha Kairangi Poa
Poa's mother Natasha is originally from Collingwood, Australia. Natasha tied the wedding knot with Philip on September 11, 2019.
While Philip shuns the limelight of social media, Natasha is a stark contrast, as she frequently uploads a myriad of photos and updates that provide a glimpse into her daily life.
Natasha has uploaded pictures of Poa from her early childhood as she learned to play basketball from her father Phillip.
Though the pair could not be there to witness their child lift the coveted NCAA National Championship, they celebrated it by watching from home and speaking with Poa on Skype.
Besides, the LSU star frequently trips to Australia to visit her family during the off-season. When spending time with them, she particularly enjoys the company of her two younger siblings, Heavenly and Kingston, and cherishes their shared moments.
LSU Last-Tear Poa Name Has A Meaning
Last-Tear Poa name meaning is literally the last tear. Her name is a homage to her great-grandmother who passed away shortly before she was born.
Her family emanated from the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and her great-grandmother had a presentiment about her child's birth.
She dreamed that someone in her daughter's generation was pregnant, and shortly before she passed away, a last tear came down her eye.
As a result, Poa's mother decided to name her child after this poignant moment. It's a name that has deep meaning to Last-Tear and her family, and despite never having met her great-grandmother, she cherishes her legacy and feels a solid connection to her roots.
Even her birthmark in the same corner of her left eye where the tear sat is a reminder of the profound significance of her name per NOLA.
On the other hand, the name also has a deep philosophical meaning which translates to a powerful reflection on the transience of human existence and the preciousness of every moment.
Last Tear Poa Family Life
Last-Tear Poa grew up in a family of five including her two siblings in Melbourne Australia. She is the eldest of the brood while her sister Heavenly is the youngest.
Her mother has shared several pictures of the three on her social. She dropped photographs of Poa holding Heavenly and with Kingston during her trip back home in July 2021.
The 5-foot-11 athlete was born on November 27, 2001, and is 22 years old. Meanwhile, her younger sibling Heavenly Debra was born on September 1, 2020, nineteen years after Poa came to their home.
In July 2021, after her stay in Australia ended, it was an emotional scene at the airport. As Poa was preparing to depart for the US, her brother Kingston was overwhelmed with emotion and held onto her, unable to stop crying, causing her to .delay her departure for a while.
Despite the distance, Poa's two younger siblings remain essential to her life, and she misses them dearly. To stay close, she makes it a habit to call and speak with them before each game while enjoying her lunch.
Poa expresses her fondness for Baton Rouge and its culinary offerings to them. She particularly mentions a burger with mac and cheese from The Chimes as her favorite. However, despite enjoying her time in Louisiana, she often talks about the food from her homeland.
Besides, Poa has a very close relationship with her grandparents. They are often at her games, always cheering her on from the stands and providing invaluable encouragement and support to the young athlete.
A video of her grandmom Debbie Kearney Poa, jumping on the stand with joy after Poa won the 2023 NCAA National Championship with LSU went viral on social media.
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