Clint Capela is a Swiss professional basketball player in the NBA playing for the Atlanta Hawks.
The Swiss-born Clint is also the highest-earning athlete in Switzerland’s history.
Clint was interested in soccer at an early age, but upon his brother’s suggestion, he pursued a career in basketball.
Let’s learn about his journey from being a soccer fanatic to becoming Switzerland’s most famous basketball player. Let’s begin with quick facts.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Clint Charles N’Dumba Capela |
| Birth Date | May 18, 1994 |
| Birth Place | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Nick Name | Clint |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Education | INSEP, Paris, France |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Father’s Name | Unknown |
| Mother’s Name | Philomene Capela |
| Siblings | A Brother (Fabrice Capela) |
| Age | 29 Years Old |
| Height | 7 ft 0 in / 2.13 m / 213 cm |
| Weight | 256 lb / 116 kg |
| NBA Draft | 2014 / Round: 1 / 25th Overall |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Career Highlights & Awards |
|
| Build | Athlete |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Girlfriend | Not known |
| Source Of Income | Basketball |
| Profession | NBA Player |
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
| Salary | $18 Million Annual Salary |
| Currently Plays For | Atlanta Hawks |
| League | NBA |
| Active Since | 2012-Present |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
| Position | Center |
| Last Update | March 2024 |
Early Life, Family, & Education
Clint Capela was born Clint Charles N’Dumba Capela on May 18, 1994, to his mother, Philomene, in Geneva, Switzerland.
His father was born in Angola, and his mother in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A few months after his birth, his parents separated, leaving his mother to raise him and his brother alone.
Clint grew up partly in a foster home. As a child, he was interested in sports, mainly soccer.
Clint has always had a good height, which led him to select basketball upon his brother’s suggestion.
After meeting Thabo Sefolosha, he became more fascinated with basketball and decided to pursue it.
At 15, he started playing with the Swiss team at the European Junior Championships.
Capela also joined the Chalon-sur-Saone training center, INSEP, in France.
Age & Body Measurement
Clint Capela is 29 as of 2024. His birthday falls on the 18th of May, which makes his zodiac sign Taurus.
Talking about his physique, he is fit and has a healthy body with 2.13 meters height and 256 lb weight.
Professional Career
In 2012, Clint became part of the senior Elan Chalon team, the LNB Pro A team.
He represented the World Team at the 2014 Nike Hoop Summit and declared himself for the 2014 NBA Draft in the same month.
With his fantastic ball-handling skills, he was named the Best Young Player and Most Improved Player of the 2013-14 LNB Pro A season in May 2014.
Journey With Houston Rockets
Capela was selected by Houston Rockets as the 25th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft on June 26, 2014. A month later, he signed with the Rockets.
He made his NBA debut on March 30, 2015, scoring eight points and grabbing nine rebounds in a 99–96 loss to the Raptors.
With 10 points and five rebounds in a victory over the Charlotte Hornets on April 13, he had his best game for the Rockets.
During his rookie season, Capela had various assignments with the NBA Development League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
He stepped forward in the postseason, filling in for the injured Donatas Motiejnas.
In 2014-2015, Clint played in more playoff games than regular-season games, scoring 3.4 points in 7.5 minutes per postseason game.
Rising Star
Capela’s first career double-double came in his second season when he notched 13 points and 12 rebounds as a starter in a 116–110 triumph over the Sacramento Kings on November 6, 2015.
He got his third double-double in four games on November 29, including a career-high 18 points in an overtime victory over the New York Knicks.
During the 2016 NBA all-star weekend, clint competed in the rising stars challenge for the world team.
On April 13, Capela set a career-best with 17 rebounds in the Rockets’ season finale against Sacramento.
Clint set a career-high with 20 points in a 111–102 win over the Utah Jazz on November 19, 2016.
On November 27, with 21 points against the Portland Trail Blazers, he set a new career high in the same month.
He suffered from a broken fibula and was out for six weeks on December 19, 2016.
After missing 15 games, Capela returned to the court on January 17, 2017, against the Miami Heat. Clint started the game but went scoreless after nine minutes.
Setting Records
On October 18, 2017, Clint had 22 points and matched his career high with 17 rebounds in a win over the Kings.
On December 11, 2017, he had a career-high 28 points in a 130–123 win over the Pelicans. By Christmas, Capela had garnered 16 double-doubles in 28 games and ranked first in the NBA in field goal percentage.
He had the first 20-plus point, 20-plus rebound game of his career on February 9, 2018, when he scored 23 points and grabbed a career-high 25 rebounds in a 130–104 win over the Denver Nuggets.
After Hakeem Olajuwon’s 30 points and 25 rebounds against the Knicks on February 14, 1985, Clint was named the youngest Rockets to have at least 23 points and 25 rebounds in a game.
Capela, who recorded 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.85 blocks per game in 2017–18, was voted second in the NBA Most Improved Player Award voting.
Similarly, Clint ranked first in the league in field goal percentage (.652) and second in rebounding and blocks.
Free Agent & Injury
Clint signed a five-year, $90 million agreement with the Rockets on July 27, 2018. He also became a restricted free agent after completing the 2017-2018 seasons.
Moreover, Capela got 18 points and ten rebounds in a 98–94 win over the Indiana Pacers on November 5, tying a career-high with his sixth consecutive double-double.
In a 125–113 victory against the Denver Nuggets on January 7, he set a career-high with 31 points.
In the same month, he was ruled out for four to six weeks due to a right thumb injury he sustained the night before against the Magic.
After missing 15 games, Clint returned to action on February 21 against the Lakers. He had a career-high 12 streak of games with at least ten rebounds in March 2019.
Atlanta Hawks
In a four-team, 12-player deal on February 5, 2020, Houston traded Capela and Nenê to Atlanta for Robert Covington and Jordan Bell.
Clint made his Hawks debut on December 28, 2020, in a 128–120 triumph over the Detroit Pistons; he gathered seven points, nine rebounds, and two blocks.
On January 22, 2021, Capela made his first triple-double in a 116–98 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with 13 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 blocks.
He helped Hawks reach the Conference Finals, which they lost in six games.
He scored a season-high 23 rebounds and second 18 points during a 121-118 victory over the Cavaliers on December 31, 2021.
Recent Career
On February 28, 2023, Capela, with his team, lost to the Heat, in which he posted 12 points and 10 rebounds.
On March 8, Capela made a new record double-double in four straight games. His team faced Wizards, in which he scored 13 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks across 35 minutes.
National Team Career
Capela debuted in the Swiss national basketball team at the FIBA EuroBasket 2015 qualification rounds in August 2013.
Personal Life
Clint Capela appears to keep his life secret despite being a professional and well-known basketball player.
The 29 basketball player is currently unmarried and has not been linked to any affairs.
Leading a tough life as a kid, he seems to be focused on his career rather than getting into relationships and controversies.
Clint has also been spotted spending quality time with his mother and brother.
Net Worth
As of 2024, Capela’s estimated net worth is $10 million.
He has earned substantial wealth after playing for so long in the NBA.
Clint signed a 2-year contract of $2.43 million with Houston, and his contract was exercised with a $1.3 million option for 2016-2017 on November 1, 2015.
On October 26, 2016, Houston again extended his contract for $2.33 million with an option for 2017-2018.
Clint was traded to Atlanta by the Rockets on February 5, 2020, and on September 1, 2021, he signed a 2-year $45.44 million contract extension with the team.
Capela is estimated to earn over $18 million base salary in 2022-2023.
Social Media Presence
Clint is active on Twitter and Instagram. He has a verified account and continues to post pictures of himself and his basketball games.
Instagram (@ccapela15): 522k followers
Twitter (@CapelaClint): 95.2k followers
Popularity Graph
Clint Capela is an NBA player for the Atlanta Hawks who has a record of being the highest-earning player in Switzerland’s history.
The popularity graph shows the wavelength from the last twelve months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
What was with Clint Capela's hairdo?
Clint Capela had a blonde patch on his hair to go with his high fade. He presented a surprising look for the Rockets' season opener in October 2018. Precisely, he imposed the blonde patch right amid his dark natural hair, a hairdo similar to Dennis Schroder.
How much is Clint Capela's contract with the Hawks?
Clint has signed a two-year, $46 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks. His contract runs from 2024 to 2025.
Is Clint Capela injured?
The elite player Clint was out of the match against the Lakers on 14th January 2022 because of a left ankle sprain for 4-6 weeks.
