For the past 23 years, Hepburn has been a permanent fixture in the premier men's competition.
The 41-year-old marine scientist joined the league in 1993 when he moved to Dunedin to attend the University of Otago.
He had about 10 years or so with the Magic club before helping form the Bombers in the early 2000s.
The former Nuggets centre has no plans to stop any time soon, although his wife, Chris - yes, it gets confusing in their house - has other ideas.
They have two children - Blake (5) and Emily (2) - and life is busy. But basketball is an outlet and he keeps returning year after year because he still gets a thrill out of the game he embraced as teenager in Cromwell.
"It is just fun and I enjoy it,'' he said.
"And it just works for me. I'm 41 and I can still play, whereas so many people who play rugby are screwed in their 20s.''
At 2.03m, Hepburn is big enough to play on the post at the next level and he played 16 games for the Nuggets from 2006 to 2010.
"I've got the height for it but I wouldn't say I've got the body for it,'' he joked.
When he was playing for the Nuggets he put on his profile it was his goal was to be the hairiest player - head excluded - in the NBL.
There is no hiding in a singlet and Hepburn is pretty confident he succeeded.
The Nuggets' demise has saddened Hepburn. The franchise pulled out of the league for financial reasons two years ago, closing the pathway to the region's promising players.
But Hepburn is not so sure the Nuggets always embraced local talent.
"I've always thought the opportunity was missed. They have never shown a commitment to local players and that is the way the NBL is.
"You buy a team, you win a championship. I just don't warm to it that much.
"I enjoyed playing for the Nuggets and it provided some opportunities. But I just don't think enough opportunities were given to local players.''
The best players have to move for NBL playing opportunities but Hepburn does not believe it has weakened the local competition.
"A lot of those guys never played [club basketball] and I guess it is pretty strong this year. But back in the day when I first started, and I guess everyone always says this, it was much tougher and a lot more people played.
"There are a couple of guys my height but it is rare to see big guys playing any more. Back in the day, there was a bunch of really tall players.''
The Bombers play the Magic next Saturday and have won three of their six games this season. They have never won the title and are stuck with the bridesmaid's tag, having lost the past two finals to St Kilda.
None of that bothers Hepburn, though. He will keep playing no matter the results and still feels he has something to offer.
"I probably have slowed down but I don't feel like I have unless I see myself on video. When you actually see yourself, it's like, 'Oh God'.''
