Published14. October 2024, 9:30 p.m.
Basketball series – Episode 4: Clint Capela: “I found out about Kobe’s death before a game in Denver”
Ten years ago, the Genevan crossed the Atlantic to play in the NBA. From Chalon to Atlanta, his meetings with Kobe Bryant or Barack Obama, he recounts his journey.
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Jeremy Santallo
Kobe Bryant goes up to dunk here on Clint Capela on December 17, 2015, in Los Angeles.
Getty Images via AFP
Thursday July 11. Like every summer, Clint Capela is back in Geneva. At 208 centimeters tall, the child from Meyrin walks his imposing silhouette in front of the Vergers school hall. He is there for his camp with the young people, which is in its fifth edition. Ten years ago, “CC” took the plunge towards the NBA and the United States. “I feel old,” he laughs. At 30 years old, the Atlanta Hawks pivot still has a few years ahead of him. For “Le Matin”, he agreed to review souvenir photos and tell what they evoke to him, during an “open book” interview in the cafeteria. In complete relaxation.
His first time against Kobe Bryant
«(Huge smile). I was in my second NBA year, Kobe’s last. Every basket he made, people were like crazy in the stands. And there, the guy dunked on me, at 40 years old. The video is on Youtube and I watched it again just the day before yesterday (editor’s note: July 9). He was happy because he knew I was there to counter him. But he notified me (laughs).
It was the first time I faced him. I played it twice in total. I was lucky because he didn’t play every match. I have another video, in Houston, where I’m defending on him and he scores me on the head after dribbling. This game, the fans were screaming at every basket. That season, it seemed like he was playing home games everywhere he went.
Kobe was my idol growing up. With my brother Landry, we swore by him. This Bryant 24 jersey is legendary. I can’t believe I ever got this close (laughs). It was a bit of a weird moment. Because you’re in shock to be around him, but you have to put on a show. It’s like you saw your favorite actor, but you wanted the same role as him in the film. I remember missing free throws. I was too tense. I saw Denzel Washington, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West. It was unreal.
During our second meeting, Kobe gave me a little tactical advice when I was shooting free throws. I also have a photo of me holding him. I learned of his death before a game in Denver, an hour before kickoff. I was in my match, with my headphones. We all have our routines but there, I was alone in the locker room. Isaiah Hartenstein, one of my teammates at the time, came over and told me the news. I opened my phone to read what was written. Russell Westbrook then showed up in tears. During the national anthem, there was total emptiness. It was very hard to play that day.”
Episode 1: in Chalon, at the training center
Episode 2: in New York, for the NBA draft
Episode 3: in Houston, his first NBA game
The next episode: his meeting with Barack Obama
