Hepa: "I'm proudly representing my community, Alaska and the USA"

ST CATHARINES (FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018) – Kamaka Hepa has become a powerhouse in the paint for the USA in FIBA U18 Americas Champion, with his high abilities on the paint. The team coached by Bill Self shows improvement in every game, but to Hepa defense can still be improved.

“I think we need to set the tone on the defensive end, I feel that if we can take care of that and continue to pressure the other teams throughout the 40 minutes of the game, our offense will fall into place. Our priority needs to be to locked-in defense, before we go into the game, and get our mind ready and focused on what we need to do,” said Hepa.

Hepa now joins a small list of Alaskan natives to represent the USA on the international stage, but he is the first Iñupiat native to play in a USA Basketball team. Representing his country is a special feeling for the University of Texas signee.

“It’s an honor for me and my family to be able to represent the USA in this tournament. I’m also representing Alaska, because my community has supported me throughout this process, so I’m proudly representing my community, Alaska and the USA. That is something I’m very thankful for,” added Hepa.