Rockets select Clint Capela With 25th pick in 2014 NBA Draft

A native of Switzerland, Capela played for Elan Chalon in the French league last season and averaged 9.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. The 20-year-old played 10 EuroCup games last season and in less than 20 minutes a night he averaged 11.2 points while shooting 72 percent from the floor.

Capela’s game is raw, but his tools are tantalizing. Measured at the Nike Hoop Summit at 6’11 in shoes and 222 pounds, he has a 7’4.5 wingspan that could allow him to play center once his body fills in. At present, the power forward has explosive leaping ability. With his length he can thrive in transition and working out of pick-and-rolls.

Though his offensive game lacks much more than dunks, Capela has the natural instincts and length to be an impact player on the defensive end sooner rather than later.

Capela will almost certainly not play for the Rockets in 2014-2015 as Houston clears cap space for the summer’s free agent class. When they get him in a few years from Europe, he figures to be a ready-made backup for Dwight Howard if he can shift to center, or a similar player to Serge Ibaka at the 4.