Kamaka Hepa

Hepa was born and brought up in Barrow, Alaska (now known as Utqiagvik), the northernmost community in the United States.{{cite web |last1=Dauster |first1=Rob |title=From the Top of the World to the Edge of a Dream: Kamaka Hepa's journey from Alaska to Division I hoops |url=https://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/07/20/from-the-top-of-the-world-to-the-edge-of-a-dream-kamaka-hepas-journey-from-alaska-to-division-i-hoops/ |publisher=NBC Sports |accessdate=April 8, 2020 |date=July 20, 2017}} He grew up playing club basketball for the Alaska Mountaineers, with whom he won tournaments in North Carolina and California.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Van |title=Fabulous freshman: Barrow's Hepa is one of nation's rising stars |url=https://www.asaa365.com/news_article/show/456176-fabulous-freshman-barrow-s-hepa-is-one-of-nation-s-rising-stars |publisher=ASAA365 |accessdate=April 9, 2020 |date=December 10, 2014}} As a freshman and sophomore, Hepa played for Barrow High School. In each season, he led his team to the Class 3A state title and was named Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year.{{cite web |last1=Gardner |first1=Hayes |title=From Alaska to Austin (and Portland in between), it's been a long journey for Texas men's signee Kamaka Hepa |url=https://www.hookem.com/story/alaska-austin-portland-long-journey-texas-mens-signee-kamaka-hepa/ |publisher=Hookem.com |accessdate=April 8, 2020 |date=January 4, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Moyle |first1=Nick |title=Texas freshman Kamaka Hepa the next 'Alaskan Assassin' |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/college_sports/longhorns/article/Texas-freshman-Kamaka-Hepa-the-next-Alaskan-13465207.php |website=San Antonio Express-News |accessdate=April 9, 2020 |date=December 13, 2018}}

In March 2016, Hepa moved to Portland, Oregon to gain more exposure and to play for Portland Basketball Club on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.{{cite web |last1=Schmidt |first1=Brad |title=Jefferson HS basketball star Kamaka Hepa leaves Portland for Alaskan homecoming |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/highschool/2018/03/basketball_star_kamaka_hepa_le.html |publisher=OregonLive.com |accessdate=April 9, 2020 |date=March 22, 2018}} He also enrolled at Jefferson High School, where he played under head coach Pat Strickland.{{cite web |last1=Lester |first1=Marc |title=Kamaka Hepa's shot, from behind the Arctic Circle |url=https://www.adn.com/features/sports/2018/03/01/kamaka-hepas-shot-from-behind-the-arctic-circle/ |website=Anchorage Daily News |accessdate=April 8, 2020 |date=March 1, 2018}} As a junior, Hepa averaged 16.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, leading Jefferson to its first Class 6A state title.{{cite web |last1=Daschel |first1=Nick |title=Jefferson claims its first 6A boys basketball title, outlasting Clackamas 70-67 in final |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/highschoolsports/article/jefferson-claims-its-first-ever-6a-boys-basketball-title-outlasting-clackamas-70-67-in-final/ |publisher=OregonLive.com |accessdate=April 9, 2020 |date=March 11, 2017}} In his senior season, he led his team to a Class 6A runner-up finish. After averaging 16.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and 6.2 blocks per game, he was named Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year.{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Brian |title=The Alaskan Longhorn: Kamaka Hepa's long-range shooting welcome after long journey to Texas |url=https://www.hookem.com/story/alaskan-longhorn-kamaka-hepas-long-range-shooting-welcome-long-journey-texas/ |publisher=Hookem.com |accessdate=April 9, 2020 |date=December 14, 2018}} On October 31, 2017, Hepa committed to playing college basketball for Texas as a four-star recruit.{{cite web |last1=Nathan |first1=Alec |title=4-Star PF Recruit Kamaka Hepa Commits to Texas over Gonzaga, Others |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2722677-4-star-pf-recruit-kamaka-hepa-commits-to-texas-over-gonzaga-others |publisher=Bleacher Report |accessdate=March 9, 2020 |date=October 31, 2017}}

In February 2019, as a freshman, Hepa suffered a head injury in practice and missed two games in concussion protocol.{{cite web |last1=Eberts |first1=Wescott |title=Texas F Kamaka Hepa in concussion protocol after practice injury |url=https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/2/18/18230064/kamaka-hepa-concussion-protocol-injury-texas-longhorns-basketball |publisher=Burnt Orange Nation |accessdate=April 9, 2020 |date=February 18, 2019}} On February 27, 2019, in his first career start, he scored a freshman season-high 11 points in an 84–83 loss to Baylor.{{cite web |title=Men's Basketball drops OT heartbreaker at Baylor, 84-83 |url=https://texassports.com/news/2019/2/27/mens-basketball-drops-ot-heartbreaker-at-baylor-84-83.aspx |publisher=University of Texas Athletics |accessdate=April 9, 2020 |date=February 27, 2019}} He finished the season averaging 1.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game.{{cite web |title=Kamaka Hepa |url=https://texassports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kamaka-hepa/9402 |publisher=University of Texas Athletics |accessdate=April 9, 2020}} On January 15, 2020, in his sophomore season, Hepa scored a career-high 15 points and four rebounds in a 76–64 win over Oklahoma State.{{cite web |title=Men's Basketball posts 76-64 win at Oklahoma State |url=https://texassports.com/news/2020/1/15/mens-basketball-posts-76-64-win-at-oklahoma-state.aspx |publisher=University of Texas Athletics |accessdate=April 9, 2020 |date=January 15, 2020}} As a sophomore, he averaged 2.9 points and two rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game. In his junior season, he played nine games and averaged 2.9 points in 6.4 minutes per game.{{cite web |last1=Gates |first1=Riley |title=Kamaka Hepa enters NCAA Transfer Portal |url=https://247sports.com/Article/Texas-Longhorns-basketball-Kamaka-Hepa-enters-NCAA-Transfer-Portal-Chris-Beard-163758782/ |website=247Sports |access-date=April 26, 2021 |date=April 6, 2021}}

In 2021, Hepa was named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education.{{cite web |title=Kamaka Hepa |url=https://www.diverseeducation.com/awards-honors/arthur-ashe/2021/article/15113745/kamaka-hepa |website=2021 |publisher=Cox, Matthews and Associates |access-date=September 7, 2001}}

On April 25, 2021 Hepa announced that he would transfer to Hawaii.{{cite web |last1=Shimabuku |first1=Christian |title=Hawaii men's basketball gains commitment from Texas transfer Kamaka Hepa |url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/hawaii-mens-basketball-gains-commitment-from-texas-transfer-kamaka-hepa/ |website=KHON-TV |access-date=April 26, 2021 |date=April 25, 2021}} In 27 games, Hepa averaged 9.4 points in 28.1 minutes per game.{{cite web |title=Kamaka Hepa |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/kamaka-hepa-1.html |publisher=Sports Reference |accessdate=December 26, 2022 |date=December 26, 2022}}

On July 3, 2023, Hepa was included in the New Orleans Pelicans 2023 Summer League roster.{{cite web |title=New Orleans Pelicans announce 2023 NBA 2K24 Summer League roster presented by TripADeal |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/new-orleans-pelicans-2023-nba-2k24-summer-league-roster-tripadeal |website=www.nba.com |access-date=July 6, 2023 |language=en}}

On August 19, 2023, he signed with Zastal Zielona Góra of the Polish Basketball League.{{Cite web|url=http://www.basketzg.pl/news/kamaka-hepa-z-rocznym-kontraktem|title=Kamaka Hepa z rocznym kontraktem|last=|first=|date=August 19, 2023|website=basketzg.pl|publisher=|language=pl|access-date=September 23, 2023}} In early December, he temporarily returned to the United States due to the sudden death of his father.{{Cite web|title=Michał Pluta i Kamaka Hepa oficjalnie odeszli z Zastalu |url=https://sport.zgora.pl/kosz/michal-pluta-i-kamaka-hepa-oficjalnie-odeszli-z-zastalu,d51954.html |language=pl |trans-title=Michał Pluta and Kamaka Hepa officially left Zastal |work=sport.zgora.pl |date=January 14, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024}} He was supposed to return, but he officially parted ways with team by mutual agreement on January 14, 2024.{{Cite web|last=Sadłowski|first=Tomasz|title=Michał Pluta i Kamaka Hepa odchodzą z klubu. Dziękujemy |url=https://www.basketzg.pl/news/michal-pluta-i-kamaka-hepa-odchodza-z-klubu-dziekujemy |language=pl |trans-title=Michał Pluta and Kamaka Hepa leave the club. Thank you |work=basketzg.pl |date=January 14, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024}}

On June 25, 2024, he signed with Skyliners Frankfurt of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).{{Cite web|url=https://www.frankfurt-skyliners.de/news-service/details/hepa-24-26|title=Vom lettischen Vizemeister nach Frankfurt: Kamaka Hepa|last=|first=|date=June 25, 2024|website=frankfurt-skyliners.de|publisher=|language=de|access-date=March 5, 2025}}

Hepa represented the United States at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship in St. Catharines, Ontario.{{cite web |last1=Ringo |first1=Kyle |title=From the Northern Tip of Alaska, Kamaka Hepa Is Showing the North Has Its Share of Hoops Talent |url=https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2018/06/hepa-feature.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129153650/https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2018/06/hepa-feature.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 29, 2021 |publisher=USA Basketball |accessdate=April 9, 2020 |date=June 13, 2018}} He averaged 3.3 points and five rebounds per game, winning a gold medal.{{cite web |title=Hepa: "I'm proudly representing my community, Alaska and the USA" |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/americas/u18/2018/news/hepa-i-m-proudly-representing-my-community-alaska-and-the-usa |publisher=FIBA |accessdate=April 9, 2020 |date=June 15, 2018}}

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19

| style="text-align:left;"| Texas

| 27 || 1 || 10.3 || .291 || .310 || .857 || 1.6 || .3 || .0 || .3 || 1.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20

| style="text-align:left;"| Texas

| 22 || 10 || 13.5 || .361 || .292 || .667 || 2.0 || .6 || .2 || .6 || 2.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21

| style="text-align:left;"| Texas

| 9 || 1 || 6.4 || .500 || .500 || .000 || 1.0 || .1 || .1 || .2 || 2.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22

| style="text-align:left;"| Hawaii

| 27 || 27 || 28.1 || .440 || .396 || .804 || 5.0 || 1.4 || .4 || .7 || 9.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23

| style="text-align:left;"| Hawaii

| 33 || 33 || 32.6 || .424 || .387 || .842 || 6.6 || 1.5 || .5 || .8 || 11.5

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

|| 118 || 72 || 20.9 || .413 || .374 || .808 || 3.8 || .9 || .3 || .6 || 6.6

{{S-end}}

Hepa's father, Roland Hepa, died in December 2023. He was originally from Kapa'a, Hawaii and was of Hawaiian and Filipino descent. Hepa's mother, Taqulik (née Opie), is an Iñupiaq from Utqiagvik.{{cite web |last1=Barnhouse |first1=Wendell |title=The odyssey of Kamaka Hepa, from a remote town in Alaska to four-star Longhorns recruit |url=https://theathletic.com/317136/2018/04/17/the-odyssey-of-kamaka-hepa-from-a-remote-town-in-alaska-to-four-star-longhorns-recruit/ |website=The Athletic |accessdate=April 8, 2020 |date=April 17, 2018}} His mother played basketball for Barrow High School, while his father was a multi-sport athlete in high school.

Hepa's older sister, Lynette, was a standout basketball player for Barrow High School before playing collegiately at Fort Lewis College. On November 23, 2015, his half-brother, Radford Kawika Hepa, was shot and killed in Anchorage, Alaska. Kamaka’s younger brother, Keoni, is a collegiate football player at Simon Fraser.

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• [https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kamaka-hepa/19534 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors bio]
• [https://texassports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kamaka-hepa/9402 Texas Longhorns bio]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20220526144132/https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/mens/h/hepa-kamaka.aspx USA Basketball bio]

{{Skyliners Frankfurt current roster}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hepa, Kamaka}}

Category:2000 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Alaska Native people

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:21st-century Inuit people

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Poland

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:American people of Ilocano descent

Category:American sportspeople of Filipino descent

Category:Basketball players from Alaska

Category:Hawaii Rainbow Warriors basketball players

Category:Inupiat people

Category:People from Utqiagvik, Alaska

Category:Power forwards

Category:Small forwards

Category:Texas Longhorns men's basketball players

Category:Zastal Zielona Góra players