College Basketball: Four schools interested in 2018 four-star recruit Kamaka Hepa

Four schools appear to be leading the race in the recruitment of Alaska native Kamaka Hepa.

2018 four-star prospect Kamaka Hepa is in the process of winding down his recruitment according to Rivals’ Corey Evans.  Hepa, a consensus top-65 recruit, holds 11 scholarship offers, but four schools appear to be in the forefront.

Texas, Gonzaga, USC, and Washington are the schools that are believed to have the upper hand in securing the 6’8″ combo forward’s services.

“I have been in contact with those four for a while now, especially of late,” Hepa said. “A few other schools, too, like Utah, Oklahoma, Stanford has just recently called me but mainly most of the Pac-12 schools and a few others on the west coast.”

Hepa’s move from his hometown of Barrow, Alaska, to Portland (Ore.) following his sophomore year has really helped his recruiting. Hepa plays for the Portland Basketball Club during the summer and will enter his senior season at Jefferson High School.

So, what does Hepa brings to the court?

Hepa is versatile and at his best in transition. He can score a variety of ways; though, he is currently more comfortable facing the basket. He is a good shooter but needs to more proficient when he is beyond the arc. Hepa, who is a quality passer, needs to be more adept at driving to the basket as well as improve his footwork in the post.

Hepa said that he plans on making a decision in the fall. He is slated to make an official visit to Texas over Labor Day weekend. He will likely schedule a few more visits. Scout has his recruiting as a toss up between Texas, Oregon, and Gonzaga.

Here is a look at the four teams most interested in Hepa.

Texas Longhorns: Texas has already received commitments from two top-100 2018 prospects. The Longhorns have at least more two scholarships available for next year and that could grow to a minimum of four if Mo Bamba and Andrew Jones leave for the NBA. Hepa would fit well into coach Shaka Smart’s system and he would provide depth at forward.

Gonzaga Bulldogs: Gonzaga has been pursuing Hepa for a while. The Bulldogs are in the process of rebuilding and do not have any commitments for 2018, yet. Securing Hepa would be a great start.

USC Trojans: The Trojans brought in three freshmen this season. The Trojans already have three verbal commits from the class of 2018, meaning, unless a player leaves, they don’t have room to add another player. 6’9 wing Taeshon Cherry is the highest rated recruit. Four-star power forward J’Raan Brooks and four-star shooting guard Kevin Porter Jr. are the other players to commit.

Next: Five Big Ten returning players to watch in 2017-18

Washington Huskies: The Huskies are a late arrival to the recruiting party as they didn’t show interest in Hepa until after new coach Mike Hopkins was hired. UW is in the same boat as USC in the fact that the Huskies don’t currently have a scholarship available in 2018. Washington is slated to lose just one senior this season and already have a commitment from 3.5-star small forward Ed Chang.