Clint Capela Scores 35 with 15 Rebounds in D-League

Clint Capela and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers took on the Texas Legends Wednesday night at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. Although the Legends won 154-150 in OT, it was the play of Rockets 2014 1st-Round pick that stood out.

Clint Capela – Houston Rockets

20 years old from Geneva, Switzerland

6’10.5 – 245lbs.

Drafted 25th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2014 NBA Draft

.@CapelaClint dropped 35p/15r for the @RGVVipers last night. Highlights: http://t.co/qOHWjGjHW6

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 26, 2015

Alongside Glen Rice Jr. and Akil Mitchell, Capela put up 35 points on 17-27 shooting in 33 minutes on the court. He also tallied 15 rebounds (9 offensive), 2 steals and 6 blocked shots against a Legends team that included the Hornet’s Dwight Powell.

The Swedish prodigy has averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks a game while playing 37 games with the Vipers. Lastly, although he only shoots 60% from the free throw line, that also happens to be his FG% with the Rio Grande Valley squad.

Against the Legends Capela showed off his ability to score with his back to the basket, his best attribute along with his rebounding. Some Houston fans may be reminded of a certain shot blocker with a finger wag when they see Clint Capela on defense.

A little undersized at the moment but by the time next season rolls around maybe he will be ready to back up Dwight Howard, then the Vipers/Rockets could replace Capela with Zhou Qi.

Jan 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Ed Davis (21) defends Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Coming out of the draft last year, Capela was compared to Anthony Davis in size by DraftExpress.com. Comparisons in game were a little different as NBADraft.net called him synonymous with Amir Johnson of the Raptor and Ian Mahinmi of the Pacers.

His most noted weakness is that he gets out of his element at times, sometimes playing like a SF when he is clearly a big man.

Capela will probably finish the season on the Vipers unless he is called up last minute for the Rockets playoff run.

Rockets Coach and Hall of Famer Kevin McHale spoke to the Houston Chronicle on what the Vipers mean to the Rockets organization,

“The Vipers have been great for us. We sent guys down here. It helped them. D-Mo was down here. Terrence came down for a while. It really helps their game a lot. I like it. Like this year will be a huge year for Clint Capela down here. That will be fantastic. Nick Johnson will be able to use this to improve. It’s been fantastic for us.”

So if the trend continues and he keeps these numbers up, expect to see Clint Capela in a Houston Rockets uniform in the next couple seasons!

Next: How can McHale Better Utilize McDaniels?

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