The gym echoed with squeaking sneakers and sharp whistles, but Alina Stephenson (12) watched from the sideline. For the second time in three years, the Kalani senior’s season had ended before it began.
A multi-sport athlete at Kalani High School, Alina Stephenson has spent most of her life moving from one season to the next.
“Last year, for my junior year, I did six,” Alina Stephenson says. “I did cross country, volleyball during the fall and during winter I did basketball and soccer, and then during spring I did track and flag football.”
Despite all of these sports, basketball has remained her longest and most consistent commitment, rooted in both family influence and personal preference.
“I think it’s because my dad played it,” she explains. “It was also one of the less running sports.”
That competitive drive was shaped early on by her family, many of whom played sports at a high level. From a young age, expectations were clear, and support was constant.
“They tried to push us a lot to also become that because that was all of my siblings’ goals to be wanting to play college at a high, competitive level,” she says.
Those expectations collided with reality during her sophomore year, when a drill in volleyball practice suddenly altered her trajectory. What initially felt like a minor injury quickly became something more serious.
“It was non-contact,” she states. “I fell on a cone and then it just went from there.”
Uncertain about the severity, she continued playing until her knee gave out again. The diagnosis was a torn left ACL.
“The recovery process is very up and down, my first one I didn’t know what to expect,” Alina Stephenson says. “I didn’t want to do any more sports.”
After months of rehab, Alina Stephenson returned to competition, regaining both her confidence and her role on the court. That progress made the second injury harder to accept.
Just as she was preparing for her senior season, Alina Stephenson went down again, this time during a club basketball game in Alabama.
“I heard a crack,” Alina Stephenson states. “And I knew immediately.”
The injury, a tear to her right ACL, didn’t bring the same physical pain as the first, but it carried more weight. This time, there was no confusion about what it meant.
Her younger sister, Angel Stephenson (10), knew something was wrong the moment it happened.
“I was watching her game on my phone during math,” Angel Stephenson says. “When I saw her go down, my heart dropped.”
At home, recovery slowed everything down. Schedules changed, routines paused, and Stepheson was left waiting once again.
“She couldn’t really do much,” Angel Stephenson states. “She was mostly just at home trying to get cleared.”
For Alina Stephenson, the hardest part wasn’t the surgery; it was the uncertainty.
“It broke my heart,” she says. “Knowing I had to go through that whole process again was chaotic.”
Doctors urged patience, emphasizing the long-term impact of rushing back. Faced with the reality of losing her senior season, Alina Stephenson chose to prioritize her health. She describes her journey as a “roller coaster” ride.
Her absence forced Kalani’s basketball team to adjust once again. Varsity head coach Tyler Tsukazaki had to throw out some plays dedicated to Alina Stephenson.
“Alina is a very fierce competitor,” Tsukazaki says. “She’s a big part of our team, and how we play, so it’s a big difference.”
Even without playing time, Alina Stephenson remains present, using her experience to support her teammates from the sidelines.
“I didn’t really get to spend much time on the sideline and watch from the other point of view,” she explains. “This way I get to help my teammates and showing them what to look for on the court that I wouldn’t have seen if I was on it.”
The setbacks she experienced these past few years also shifted how she defines herself beyond the court.
“I learned that sports isn’t about everything,” she says. “I still have my family and my friends.”
From the program’s perspective, her impact has already been made. Her absence this season doesn’t diminish what she’s contributed.
“She’s probably one of the best players to come out of Kalani,” Tsukazaki says. “The impact that she’s had for us has been huge.”
After facing two ACL injuries, Alina Stephenson has learned lessons that extend beyond basketball.
“For resilience, I learned that you have to keep pushing no matter what, even if you’re tired or not feeling like it, because your future self will thank you for that.”
Darrell Harbor • May 19, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Love the mental roughness….
Kirk Hancock • May 14, 2026 at 6:31 am
GREAT ARTICLE!
My Cousin Alvin and lovely Wife Tui have raised some beautiful well rounded kids. We here in Oakland Ca. had the pleasure of meeting our cousins as a family for the first time more recently, but little did they know my cousin Natasha (Nae Nae) Hancock would give us info about our little cousins and their sporting endeavors over the years. Alina, keep up the great work. That never quit attitude will take you to new heights even when that straight path to the top becomes a little crooked!
Love you Cuzo,
Kirk Hancock
T. Masuda • Jan 2, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Such a great article about a great student athlete! It’s sad she can’t compete, but her character shines through doing what she can to help the team regardless!