By Samantha Europa

HONOLULU — After a breakout sophomore season that delivered two state titles and a pair of major individual awards, Punahou’s Tanoaalofa “Tanoa” Scanlan isn’t satisfied. He’s just getting started.

The 6-foot-6 Palolo native was a central force in the Buff ’n Blue’s 2025 championship season across both basketball and volleyball. On the hardwood, Scanlan anchored Punahou throughout its championship run and captured ILH Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors before a late-season hand injury sidelined him for the state tournament. Months later, he returned to full strength on the volleyball court, dominating the spring and earning Most Outstanding Player honors en route to another state title — completing a rare two-sport championship season.

“It was definitely gratifying knowing that the sacrifices and work that were put in beforehand came to fruition,” Scanlan said. “I’m grateful that I received the awards.”

Greatness, it turns out, runs in the family.

His father, Cavan Scanlan, played college basketball. His mother, Alicia Scanlan, played college volleyball. Growing up, Scanlan sampled nearly every sport he could — football, t-ball, soccer, water polo — before eventually narrowing his focus to the two that shaped his household.

“It’s the two I enjoyed the most and I’m passionate about,” Scanlan said. “My dad played basketball and my mom played volleyball, so it was kind of easy to narrow it down.”

That passion hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“[Tanoa] is an incredible talent, phenomenal athlete, and a great kid with awesome parents,” said former Punahou boys basketball assistant coach Rodger Hsing, who retired following the 2024–25 state title.

Long before most of his classmates arrive on campus, Scanlan is already at work. Early mornings are spent lifting or getting shots up in the gym. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the grind continues in the classroom — chemistry, geometry, and Hawaiian language filling his day. When the final bell rings, Scanlan throws his jersey back on and returns to the gym once more.

“[Tanoa] is not only talented skill-wise — he has a really high basketball IQ,” said Punahou head coach Darren Matsuda. “He’s very smart, understands the game. He has a dawg in him. He’s an ideal player at this level.”

This past season, Scanlan led Punahou in scoring at 17.6 points per game, ranked second in rebounds (6.5 per game), and added two assists, along with a block and steal per contest. He shot 78.7% from the free-throw line across 11 regular-season games — a dramatic leap from his freshman numbers.

“He’s extremely coachable,” Matsuda said. “One of the most coachable kids we’ve ever had.”

But the road to the title wasn’t smooth.

During the ILH playoffs, Scanlan suffered a season-ending hand injury that required surgery — forcing him to miss the 2024 state championship run entirely.

“For the first week, it was tough because I really wanted to be out there,” Scanlan said. “I love playing with my guys. But I realized my role had changed — from being a leader on the court to being a leader on the bench and vocally in practice. I just tried to do anything I could to help the team win.”

With a mindset of unfinished business, Scanlan became a courtside leader. According to Matsuda, his input helped shape Punahou’s tactical adjustments heading into the championship game — where the Buff ‘n Blue stunned three-time defending champion Saint Louis to claim the crown.

By the time winter ended, Scanlan was back on the move — trading rehab for reps as spring volleyball arrived. He scaled back on lifting, doubled down on conditioning, and returned to the court despite missing several early matches.

In just three recorded matches, Scanlan racked up 60 kills and 18 digs, according to ScoringLive. Then came the rematch everyone wanted.

Against defending state champion Kamehameha Kapālama in the D1 title match, Scanlan delivered once again — posting 21 kills on a .362 hitting percentage, five digs, and 21.5 points in Punahou’s decisive 3–1 victory.

The performance earned him a spot on the HHSAA All-Tournament Team and Most Outstanding Player honors — sealing one of the most dominant two-sport seasons in recent Hawaiʻi prep history.

Yet for Scanlan, the spotlight always circles back to the people beside him.

“I just want to thank my teammates,” he said. “It’s an individual award, but if it was just me out there, I definitely wouldn’t have gotten it. It just shows the teamwork. They were happy for me — and that meant everything.”

Now, with his junior year approaching, the goals are already set.

First: back-to-back state titles in both sports — something Punahou hasn’t done since 1981.

“I think we can do it,” Scanlan said. “But it won’t come easy. It’ll be a new team for both sports. We’ve got to restart, regroup, remind ourselves of the goal every day — and keep sacrificing.”

And the next chapter begins soon. Punahou opens its 2025–26 ILH boys basketball season on December 9 against Saint Louis at 6:30 p.m. at Punahou, setting the stage for an early rematch of last season’s championship showdown.

Second: keeping his 3.8 GPA intact.

“Junior year is going to be tough,” he said. “But that’s the goal. I want to maintain it.”

If history is any indication, Scanlan isn’t just chasing the bar — he’s raising it.

One bucket. One kill. One chemistry exam at a time.