Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Clint Capela established himself as one of basketball’s premier rim-running centers by excelling in the areas that consistently influence winning: rebounding, shot blocking, and efficient finishing around the basket. His physical presence in the paint, defensive instincts, and effectiveness as a pick-and-roll target have defined a career built on doing the game’s toughest interior work at a high level.

Here’s the detailed information about NBA player Clint Capela:

  • Full Name: Clint N’Dumba Capela
  • Nationality: Swiss
  • Age: Born May 18, 1994
  • Hometown: Geneva, Switzerland
  • Height: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
  • Weight: 256 pounds (116 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 4 inches (224 cm)
  • Shoe Size: 16 (US)
  • Shoe Brand: Nike Kobe 5 Protro, Nike Kyrie Low 5, Nike Kyrie Low 2, Nike Kyrie Low 1, Nike Hyperdunk 2017, Nike Hypershift
  • Jersey Number:
    • #15 — Houston Rockets
    • #15 — Atlanta Hawks
  • Position: Center
  • High School: INSEP Academy, Paris, France
  • College: Did not attend college; played professionally in France
  • NBA Draft: 2014, 1st round, 25th overall pick by the Houston Rockets
  • Player Archetype: Rim-running defensive anchor
  • Primary Offensive Role: Pick-and-roll finisher, lob target, offensive rebounder
  • Defensive Role: Interior rim protector, drop coverage anchor, elite rebounder
  • Play Style: Low-usage, vertical spacer who thrives on efficiency and defensive presence
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right
  • Athletic Profile: Long, fluid leaper with excellent vertical reach and coordination in tight spaces
  • Recruiting Status: International professional pathway (France development system)
  • Draft Status Detail: Late first-round developmental big with elite physical tools and defensive upside
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — has dealt with heel, thumb, and lower-body issues but generally maintains starter availability
  • Career Stage: Veteran starter
  • Comparison Style: Traditional rim-running center with modern defensive mobility
  • Comparable Players
    • DeAndre Jordan — elite lob finisher and rebounder
    • Tyson Chandler — defensive anchor with vertical spacing
    • Jarrett Allen — modern rim protector and roll man
    • Rudy Gobert — defense-first interior presence
  • Teams Played For:
    • Houston Rockets (2014–2020)
    • Atlanta Hawks (2020–Present)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: 1 son named Liam Capela
  • Siblings: Yes, an older brother named Fabrice Capela

Clint Capela’s player archetype is that of a rim-running defensive anchor, built around elite interior presence rather than perimeter skill. Defensively, he operates as a disciplined paint protector and high-level rebounder, using his length and timing to anchor drop coverage schemes and limit second-chance opportunities. Offensively, Capela thrives almost exclusively as a pick-and-roll finisher and lob target, converting at high efficiency without needing touches or shot creation. Physically, his 7’5″ wingspan and fluid mobility allow him to play above the rim consistently, shaping his identity as a vertical spacer. His overall play style is defined by efficiency, role discipline, and impact without usage, making him a system-reliant but highly effective traditional center in modern lineups.

Scouting Report

Clint Capela has made a career out of mastering the parts of center play that rarely require a dribble. Everything begins with his screens. He creates real contact, opens driving angles, then explodes into his roll with perfect timing, forcing the low man to choose between tagging him or giving the ball handler an unobstructed path to the rim. Even when he doesn’t receive the pass, his rim runs stretch the defense vertically and create clean perimeter looks behind the play. Around the basket he’s quick off his feet, gathering misses before defenders can react and finishing without wasting motion. Defensively, that’s where his game has always carried the most weight. He is exceptionally disciplined in drop coverage, staying deep enough to protect the rim while remaining patient against guards trying to bait him into committing early. It’s easy to overlook how often he influences shots without blocking them; his positioning alone convinces ball handlers to settle for floaters or awkward runners rather than challenge him directly. The trade-off comes once offenses force him away from the paint. Quick guards who can string together multiple changes of direction or five-out lineups that demand constant switches reduce some of his effectiveness, and he isn’t the kind of big who offsets those situations with playmaking from the elbows or floor spacing. To me, his ideal fit is with guards who consistently pressure the paint and value a true vertical screener, allowing him to spend possessions doing what he does best instead of asking him to create offense from the perimeter. There aren’t many centers who understand the geometry of the pick-and-roll as well as Capela. His style resembles a blend of Tyson Chandler’s screen-and-roll discipline and DeAndre Jordan’s vertical finishing, built around controlling the restricted area at both ends without needing the offense to run through him.

Sources:
Basketball Reference — Clint Capela Stats
NBA.com — Clint Capela Player Profile
The Athletic — How Clint Capela anchors elite defenses