The Swiss prodigy/third-year center is balling better and better

It’s a turning out to be a good year for the Houston Rockets what with a stronger offense thanks to a great team play led by coach Mike D’Antoni, James Harden, Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon. And it seems D’Antoni is quite gifted when it comes to empowering his players as Swiss prodigy Clint Capela “has become one of the toughest covers in the Western Conference,” according to Fanragsports.com. Capela, now starting center and primary interior weapon, continues to impress with his increased energy levels and ability to fulfill all his added duties—crashing the glass, rim-running magnificently, executing crowd-rousing pick and rolls with James Harden, among others. And we can’t wait to see more of Clint Capela and the Rockets this season. Meantime, here are three things you should know about the Swiss baller.

Also read: The Overperformers of the New NBA Season

Early Life

Clint Capela was born to parents from Angola and Congo and raised in Geneva, Switzerland. At 18, Capela moved to France to go to the National Institute of Sports and Physical Education, where he began to play serious basketball. The 6’10 player later joined team Élan Chalon of the Ligue de Nationale de Basket Pro A (LNB Pro A), the top-tier men’s professional basketball league in France. And just two years after, he was chosen to represent the World Team at the 2014 Nike Hoop Summit, an international men's basketball all-star game hosted by the sports brand.

A Good Year

In the same month as the Nike Hoop Summit, Capela was announced as the 25^th overall pick of the Houston Rockets at the 2014 NBA draft. And it’s been a winning streak for the baller since as in the following month he was awarded Best Young Player and Most Improved Player of the 2013-2014 LNB Pro A Season.

Going on NBA

On July 25, 2014, Clint Capela officially became part of the Houston Rockets. As a rookie, Capela was also assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League and has notably appeared in more playoff games than regular season contests in his first year. Starting with 13 points and 12 rebounds in the 2015-2016 season, Capela continues to rise to the occasion with a current career-high 21 points and 9 rebounds (as of November 29, 2016). He’s had an exceptionally strong game last November thanks to his electric energy, overwhelming offense and explosive help defense, and great chemistry with lethal point guard James Harden.