Clint Capela

Clint Capela's Biography

Clint N’Dumba Capela, born on May 18, 1994 in Geneva, Switzerland, is a highly successful Swiss professional basketball player, currently playing for the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has made an indelible mark in the history of Swiss sports as the highest-earning team athlete. Known primarily for his excellent rebounding capabilities and significant shot-blocking skills, he was picked as the 25th player in the 2014 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets.

Capela began his momentous basketball career in 2012 with Élan Chalon of the LNB Pro A, where he played for two eventful seasons. He received recognition as both the Pro A Best Young Player and Most Improved Player before declaring for the NBA draft in 2014. His breakthrough season came during the 2016-2017 period with the Rockets as his role as a key defensive player and a center increased substantially.

He achieved an enviable field goal percentage of 62.1%, the 4th highest in NBA history, during the 2017-18 season and the highest within the league during the same period. He has since remained among the NBA’s top players in terms of rebounds and blocks, leading the league in rebounding during the 2021-22 season.

Capela was raised primarily by his mother as his parents separated a few months after his birth. From a young age, he was fascinated with the sport of soccer, but his interest gradually shifted towards basketball. Due to his height of 1.90 meters at the age of 13, his brother advised him to make a switch in his choice of sport.

Capela’s passion for basketball was further fueled after meeting Swiss basketball icon Thabo Sefolosha. At the European Junior Championships, his impressive performance earned him a position at the Chalon-sur-Saône training center, INSEP, in France at the age of 15.

Capela’s journey in the NBA commenced with his selection by the Houston Rockets in the 2014 NBA draft. During his first stint with the Rockets, Capela made substantial contributions in the postseason, making more appearances in playoff games than regular season contests in the 2014–15 period.

By his second season, Capela had already recorded his first career double-double and set a new career-high score of 21 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. Unfortunately, an unfortunate fibula injury caused him to miss multiple games in December 2016.

His impressive performance continued in the 2017–18 season, peaking with 22 points and 17 rebounds in a win over the Sacramento Kings. This season saw Capela being nominated for the NBA Most Improved Player Award as he led the league in field goal percentage while ranking eighth in rebounding and second in blocks.

In 2018, he signed a five-year, $90 million extension with the Rockets. However, he was eventually traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2020, where he continues to play currently. Despite sustaining a thumb injury in 2019, Capela has maintained his stellar career, contributing significantly to the Hawks’ stellar performance in the NBA playoffs and securing the seventh seed in the playoffs for the Hawks.

Outside of the NBA, Capela has also represented his national team, making his debut for the Swiss national basketball team at the FIBA EuroBasket 2015 qualification rounds. His journey, beginning from his encounter with basketball to his successful career in the NBA, showcases his remarkable drive and talent as an athlete.