Kamaka Hepa arrives in Zagreb: New Cibona player immediately joins training under Ivan Rudež

The newest addition to KK Cibona, Kamaka Hepa, arrived at Zagreb's 'Franjo Tuđman' Airport late Monday evening, August 18th, following a flight from Los Angeles via Munich. He was greeted by sports director Marin Rozić. Despite the grueling journey and arriving at the Dražen Petrović Basketball Hall after 10 PM, the Alaskan-born forward joined his new teammates the very next morning for his first training session under coach Ivan Rudež.

First impressions of Zagreb and the club

Hepa’s initial impressions of the Croatian capital and the organization have been overwhelmingly positive. After meeting with the management and sports sector, he felt immediately at home. "I've been in Zagreb for about 12 hours. I really appreciate everything the sports director and the board members told me. I feel comfortable and welcome. I like the city, the teammates, and the coach, which makes me feel secure and motivated from the start," Hepa stated.

Energy and commitment on the court

During his introduction to the fans, Hepa emphasized that his game is defined by effort and communication. Regardless of his specific role in the system, he promises a maximum approach every minute on the floor. His key contributions include:

High intensity and vocal communication during gameplay.

Strong defensive activity and rebounding.

Versatile shooting and scoring ability.

A team-first mentality with total dedication.

Respecting the legacy of Dražen Petrović

In preparation for his move to Croatia, Kamaka took the time to research the history of his new club. He was particularly moved by the legacy of Dražen Petrović and Cibona's status as a two-time European champion. "I learned about Dražen's immense importance to world basketball and the club's rich tradition. Playing for a club with such history and supportive fans motivates me even more. I believe we will have a team the fans can be proud of this season," said Hepa.

Coach Ivan Rudež’s perspective

Coach Ivan Rudež commented on Hepa's arrival, highlighting the importance of his previous professional experience in Europe with the Skyliners. Rudež expects Hepa to provide stability at the power forward position. "Kamaka brings a professional reference and is a great team player. We expect him to bring high basketball IQ, defensive energy, and smart shot selection to the team," Rudež noted. Fans will have the chance to see Hepa in action during the upcoming pre-season games.