Power forward Ted Kapita, who officially visited Arkansas over the weekend, left Kinshasa, Congo in 2011 to pursue his passion for basketball in the United States.
“It proves how much I love basketball,” Kapita said. “That's why I decided to come here….top play and move to the next level if possible.”
Kapita, 6-9, 222 pounds, plays for Huntington Prep in West Virginia and is rated the No. 37 prospect in the nation by ESPN. for an official visit this weekend.
He and his coach, Arkell Bruce arrived in Fayetteville on Friday and left Sunday afternoon.
Arkansas’ big men Bobby Portis, Trey Thompson and Moses Kingsley hosted Kapita.
“They got invited to the LeBron camp last summer,” Kapita said. “I know most of them. They are good people. I enjoy spending time with them.”
Bruce said Arkansas’ style of play suits Kapita’s skill set.
“That fits him, but honestly he can play anyway,” Bruce said. “He can grind it out.”
The environment around the program is a plus.
“I think one of the main things, when we walked in here it was go great… is the family atmosphere they have here,” Bruce said. “That is going over big with him.”
Kapita has officially visited West Virginia and Memphis while trips to Oregon and Missouri are also possibilities.
He played his junior year at Florida Air Academy in Melbourne and averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds before transferring to Huntington for his senior year.
“I have got to keep improving my jump shot and just keep playing hard,” Kapita said. “That's the way I play the game – just keep playing hard, play my role for my team, help my team win the game.”
He enjoys rebounding and takes pride in that part of the game.
“Rebounding is part of defense,” Kapita said. “I try to get those rebounds so it will help my team get more chances to score on offense.”
Kapita won’t hurry his decision.
“I don't pressure myself,” Kapita said. “Right now I am just enjoying it. Whatever happens in the future, God will provide and help me to make my decision.”
The daughter of his host family in Huntington lives about 25 miles from Fayetteville. She visited with Kapita Saturday morning while the Razorbacks worked out.
“She lives here so that will play another part because he is real tight with the host dad,” Bruce said. “He was supposed to be on the trip, but he couldn't move things around to come with him.”
Kapita is all about trust when deciding on a college.
“I want to be in good shape with my teammate and my coach,” Kapita said. “Kind of trust each other. I want my coach to trust me because I trust myself and what I can do in a basketball game. So wherever I go, I just want them to trust me and give me a chance to play and expand my game. That's all.”
Bruce was impressed with what he saw of the Hogs.
“Great athleticism, of course,” Bruce said. “I knew that coming in though. They have really, really great size and a lot of skill involved with their bigs. Moses Kingsley, of course he played for us, he looks great. I am glad to see that.”
Kapita is uncertain of his vertical jump.
“I have never tried to figure out what was my vertical, but I think it is close to 40 (inches), 39 or 40,” Kapita said.
He's adjusting to the increased competition at Huntington.
“He is still learning things,” Bruce said. “There it was just more of him being better than everybody else. At our level, you have got to know how to play, too. It is such a high level of high school basketball that we have guys going into college ready to play. That is where we are getting him right now.”