"Kamaka Hepa, the 6-10 forward who signed with the Longhorns in October, is originally from Alaska. But not just anywhere in Alaska. He’s from Barrow, the northernmost community in America.
Put your finger on top of a globe. That’s Barrow.
“It’s different,” Hepa said. “I would describe it as an isolated, small village.”
Hepa grew up in a town where, for 65 days a year, the sun does not rise above the horizon. And for 80 days in the summer, the sun is constantly present.
As the crow flies, Barrow is 1,100 miles north of Juneau, the state capital. And it has to be measured that way — there’s no way to drive to Barrow. From anywhere. Hepa’s hometown is entirely secluded and impossible to enter or leave except by airplane.
Residents drive snowmobiles around. It’s not uncommon to see a polar bear milling about town.
But in the spring of 2016, Hepa and his family moved south to Portland, Ore.
“I thought I had to come down here to give myself the best opportunity,” Hepa said....."