Hamant was diagnosed with stage 4 SMARCB1-deficient kidney cancer in April, according to King 5 News, and was only the 14th documented case on record. At the time, he was preparing for his senior year with the Huskies after starting 15 games as a junior, earning All-Big Ten Tournament team honors in the 2024 conference tournament.
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He sat out the entire 2025 season to undergo treatment.
Her death comes during the Big Ten women’s soccer tournament, in which Washington is the top seed and is scheduled to face second-seeded Michigan State in the finals on Sunday after defeating fifth-seeded Wisconsin on Thursday. It’s unclear how that game will be affected by Hamant’s death.
Hamant had made a public appearance just two weeks earlier, sounding the siren at the football team’s “Huskies for a Cure” game against Illinois.
“Mia was the heart of our program, someone who lifted everyone around her with her joy, courage and kindness,” Washington head coach Nicole van Dyke said in Washington’s statement. “Even in the most difficult times, she showed an unbreakable spirit that inspired her teammates and coaches every day. Mia made us all better people, and her impact will be felt in this program and all of our lives forever.”
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Washington said he would share details for a memorial or celebration of life at a later date.