Ted Kapita to SMU: Mustangs Land 4-Star PF Prospect

Ted Kapita, a 4-star power forward out of DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, has committed to the SMU Mustangs, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported Friday.

Rothstein noted that Kapita had originally committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The signing is good news for head coach Larry Brown's team that is ineligible for postseason play this year due to NCAA infractions, despite being ranked No. 21 in the AP poll.

Brown has helped turn around a dormant program, winning 90 games in his three-plus seasons after the team won just 56 games the four prior seasons combined.

Kapita, 6'9" and 240 pounds, is ranked as the No. 57 overall player, No. 13 power forward and No. 1 prospect from Florida in the class of 2016, per 247Sports. He chose SMU over Georgetown, Florida, Texas Tech and others, per Evan Daniels of Scout.com.

It's clear Brown played a huge role in Kapita's decision, per Daniels: "I just wanted to be coached by coach Larry Brown," Kapita said. "He’s a legendary coach. I want to be coached by him. I just like SMU. I think that’s a perfect fit for me."

SMU had the 71st-ranked recruiting class for 2016 prior to Kapita's announcement and should jump up significantly now.

Daniels thinks he will be a good addition to the team:

The Mustangs will lose four seniors from this year's team, and Kapita fills a hole that will be left by the 6'9" Jordan Tolbert, who is averaging 11.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. 

Recruit info courtesy of 247Sports.