What is Last-Tear Poa's ethnicity? Taking a look at LSU star's personal life and family

Last-Tear Poa is one of the LSU Tigers' leading players. She quickly rose to popularity with her performances on the court and social media presence.

What is Last-Tear Poa's ethnic background?

According to The Advocate, Last-Tear Poa is of Polynesian descent. Her family is originally from the Cook Islands in French Polynesia. She was born in 2001 to Natasha Kairangi Poa and Philipa Poa, in Melbourne, Australia.

Her name pays homage to her great-grandmother, who predicted her birth, but never met her. Poa's great-grandmother died shortly before she was born, apparently shedding one last tear from her left eye.

"And, I have a beauty mark just beneath my left eye in the same spot where my great-grandmother's tear fell," Poa said to The Advocate in 2023. "So I am named in her memory. It is a part of our culture."

Get to know the Poa family

Poa's mother, Natasha, and father, Philip, reside in Melbourne. She is the oldest of three siblings.

“Before games, I sit and eat my chicken alfredo by myself and call my siblings, Heavenly and Kingston, back home,” Last-Tear said to The Advocate. “I love being a big sister.”

Her grandparents, Richard and Debbie, traveled to the United States last year to cheer for her during LSU's championship run.

To keep herself in touch with her culture, she cooks Polynesian cuisine in Louisiana, but she also loves various pasta dishes and prepares chicken Alfredo before every game.

What is Poa's injury status?

The Melbourne-born suffered a traumatic injury against Ole Miss on Saturday. She fell hard and hit her head on the court, leaving her dazed.

She was rushed to St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina, and was diagnosed with a concussion.

LSU Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey said Poa would be released from hospital later that day.

"Poa suffered a concussion, but has movement and feeling throughout her body. She is expected to be released from the hospital tonight."

LSU star Angel Reese also delivered a warm message to Poa while wishing her a speedy recovery.