MU in the Mix for Ohio Big Man
Bobby Capobianco is the latest in a family of superior athletes. His father, Bob, played football on a full scholarship at Vanderbilt. His mother, Barbara, played basketball there, also on a full ride. The former Barbara Brackman was a Parade All-American who once made both ends of a one-and-one to clinch a women's NIT title for the Commodores.
This season was a growing process for Capobianco and the Loveland (OH) High School basketball team. After falling to powerhouse St. Xavier in the state playoffs, the focus is on improvement for next season.
Advertisement
"We finished 13-9 and out of those nine losses, a lot of those games were close games where if one possession would have gone differently we definitely could have pulled out those games," said Capobianco. "Our last two games were probably our best basketball of the year which was really good because we had six juniors on varsity and those guys really grew up."
Capobianco plans to use the offseason to work on explosiveness and quickness which are areas of his game he feels need improvement. The 6'8", 240-pounder currently brings a multi-dimensional game to the court.
"Hopefully with a lot of work in the off-season, being able to be quicker and being able to elevate more can do a lot. I feel like I'm shifty enough with the ball and can create enough that if I increase my quickness I'll be able to create more with relying on the shot I have."
"I know how to play in the post and that's something I will always rely on. But really being able to space defenses...I've always felt like I've been a good shooter. This year the big thing has been that everybody knew I could shoot so I added the dimension of being able to beat people off the dribble. My favorite thing about the game is rebounding."
Various schools have taken note of Bobby's skills and are vying for his services. He has not compiled a final list but he did mention who is recruiting him the hardest.
"I would have to say the hardest would be Marquette, West Virginia and St. Louis, those are kind of my top three. And actually the people who I have been talking to recently is the University of Virginia. I talk to those guys a lot."
Living in Greensboro, NC until days before his freshman year in high school, Bobby definitely grew up with the dream of playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference. However, he admits his size and physical play would also fit well in the Big East. Whatever school Capobianco chooses will have a system that allows the multi-talented forward to flourish.
"I want to play in a program that really I feel like brings the best out of me. A system where I am put in the position to pick and pop, to be able post up, to get the ball out on the wing and have the option to create. I feel like my biggest strength is my I.Q., my knowledge of the game of basketball."
With guards like Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, and Wesley Matthews, any coach would mold the offense around the trio. However, Bobby spoke of Marquette's offense and how he would fit in with the Golden Eagles.
"Coach Crean has done a fabulous job with the guys he has. The position that Lazar Hayward plays in that he does stuff inside, he rebounds, he bangs. But yet he's also a pretty dynamic scorer. That's definitely how I see myself fitting in."
Bobby, averaging 21 ppg and 11 rpg, would like to make a college choice before his senior season but has not ruled out an earlier decision.