Checking in with Nick Capiti

From Bishop O'Dowd High, Merritt College and currently Fort Hays State University, Nick Capiti epitomizes adaptability. While everyone at some point dreams of heading to The Big Show, for him foremost all the while was the matter of getting his college education paid for.

In basketball, a pair of trips to the state championship game highlight his prep history as a Dragon.

"But I had no scholarship offers out of high school so I went to JUCO," Capiti said. That being Merritt College in the Oakland hills.

As a Thunderbird sophomore in the 2011-12 season, he averaged 14.9 point per game, shooting 54% overall, 51% on 76 three-point attempts and he went to the foul line a formidable 170 times. Capiti also grabbed 5.6 rebounds a contest, led the Thunderbirds with 46 steals and finished third on the squad with 55 assists. He earned an A.A. degree in business with a cumulative 3.4 grade point average.

Then it was time for a four-year school in order to keep on with basketball and earn a degree.

Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas came beckoning. A DII NCAA member, it's an institution with 11,000 students (in a town of 20,000) in northwest Kansas. By Capiti's estimation, it's "about half the size of East Oakland."

Another school (which shall remain nameless) also was interested but didn't make the cut because, when Capiti tripped there, his player host pocketed the funds designated to cover the hospitality costs of the visit. That and none of the then current players showed up to even meet him.

But Capiti liked both Fort Hays State and the town. "I enjoyed meeting the people there." It's definitely not the East Bay but he has made it work for him.

As for the basketball program, "Fort Hays was the better program. The team was more united and together and I got to play with the guys while I was there."

Capiti was offered a full scholarship and accepted.

He played his first year there but redshirted last season. Now he is back on the court for his last go-around as a Tiger although the offensive scheme is different than when he first arrived.

"It's changed to all three-point shots and how well you shoot the three is important."

So another adjustment will be required.

He has already tailored his body to the more physical play of college ball. "I was at 175 pounds in high school but now I'm 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds." That last number sounds like someone likely to have success on dribble-drives at the very least.

A business administration major, Capiti is looking to return to the East Bay with degree in hand and enter the property management field.

He has also for some time assembled highlight tapes for fellow basketball players back home. "It's something I learned to do in high school."

Regarding advice to high school basketball prospects, Capiti offered, "Never stop improving in basketball and the classroom. Become a well-rounded and complete player. If you shoot well off the dribble, become good at shooting coming off a screen."

Another takeaway can be derived from his description of his journey: "my backup plans have backup plans."