What Hepa's commitment means for Texas and UT class is one final piece away
By now, Texas fans have probably heard about, or seen, Dylan Osetkowski’s impact, specifically on offense, as a true four. The Longhorns didn’t have one active on last year’s roster, and now, thanks to his high skill level and intelligence, he’s been described as the team’s “conductor” on offense.
Well, the Longhorns just added a future conductor that should immediately slide into that role once Osetkowski leaves Austin. Jefferson (Portland, Oregon) 2018 four-star forward Kamaka Hepa is now the fourth member of the Texas recruiting class after he announced his decision in a story broken by Rivals.com’s Corey Evans.
A native of Barrow, Alaska, (NBC Sports did a great story about Hepa’s journey from Barrow, Alaska to elite hoops recruit) Hepa chose the Longhorns over Gonzaga and others in large part because of the relationship he developed with head coach Shaka Smart and bigs coach Darrin Horn.
“After talking to Coach (Shaka) Smart and Coach Darrin Horn, building a relationship with them, I just felt really comfortable with them. I trust them to help me to get where I want to be. That was a game-changer for me, the relationship that I have with both Coach Smart and Coach Horn,” Hepa told Evans.
What is Texas getting in Hepa? Listed at 6-8, 210 pounds, Hepa will bring an all-around skillset to the frontcourt that Smart and Texas value greatly. Orangebloods.com saw Hepa multiple times this summer (Nike EYBL Atlanta session and Las Vegas Fab 48), and he’s a terrific fit for what Texas will do offensively this season, and wants to do in the future.
Despite playing in a situation that could influence others to force shots, Hepa made the right basketball play at a very, very high rate no matter what that play was – pass, cut, dribble, or shoot. A natural basketball player with the kind of hoops IQ most coaches dream of, Hepa’s feel for the game and skill should allow him to be a featured part of a college offense. He can create shots for his teammates and also for himself, especially as a mismatch-type of forward that can beat bigger forwards off the bounce and has the back-to-the-basket ability to make plays near the paint. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Hepa shoot the ball from three-point range at nearly 40-percent later in his collegiate career. Defensively, his size, length and smarts should allow him to be a solid defender, and he has some toughness and physicality in his game.
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Basically, Hepa, rated as the nation’s No. 46 overall prospect, has the type of all-around game and mindset his coaches and teammates will love working with.
“The face of the Portland Basketball Club program, he averaged 12.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and close to two steals and two assists per game on the Nike circuit. He also managed to make over 40 percent of his perimeter tries and brings an unselfish approach to the floor that should make him an immediate favorite of his teammates,” wrote Evans.
What does this mean for Texas? It’s paramount that quality basketball teams have a skilled forward that can shoot from beyond the arc, and also make things happen on offense. Now, that position is in great shape for the Longhorns as Hepa also joins Brock Cunningham, who will bring a similar style of play to Texas.
Also, the Longhorns' recruiting class is now one final piece away from being an elite class. That final piece is a difference-making guard, and the Longhorns are still firmly in the mix for five-stars Quentin Grimes and Keldon Johnson.
Hepa joins Gerald Liddell, Cunningham, and Jaxson Hayes as members for the 2018 Texas recruiting class. Every member of the Texas class is 6-6 or taller.