A look at legendary New York Knick Wat Misaka

[Train]

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Hello Everybody. Wataru Misaka was born in 1923 in Ogden, UT. Misaka is best known for being the first non-white player to be drafted and play in the NBA. Misaka who was of Japanese descent, grew up in a poor neighborhood and lived in the basement of his father’s barber shop with is parents and 2 brothers. Growing up Misaka and his family were discriminated against because of their Japanese descent. They could not eat in white restaurants and he was not allowed to play sports with white kids. Misaka was able to play basketball for Ogden High School and led them to a championship in 1940. Misaka entered Weber College when many other Japanese American were being sent to internment camps due to WWII. Despite the discrimination Misaka would led Weber college to 2 championships. Misaka transferred to The University of Utah and the team earned an invitation to the NIT which was the top tournament at the time. They lost in the NIT but ended up going to the NCAA tournament and won the whole thing. Misaka was drafted to the Army during WWII and after serving his country for 2 years he returned to Utah to finish his degree. While studying he once again led his team to a championship beating Kentucky in the 1947 NIT championship. In 1947 the 5’7” Japanese American guard was drafted by the New York Knicks. His career was short but his name was etched in the Knicks history as well as the BAA which would become the NBA. After the BAA he returned to Utah to earn his degree in engineering. Misaka took up bowling and at age 80 he bowled a 299. He passed away in 2019 at age 95. A documentary film, Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story by Bruce Alan Johnson and Christine Toy Johnson, premiered in 2008. Misaka lived an extraordinary life and accomplished his dream in trying times in America. His legacy will live on through his college and professional career and nobody will ever be able to take away his feat in breaking the white barrier in American basketball. Have a great week everyone.

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[Kal-El]

This is fantastic. I have read so many books on Knicks history and this is my first time hearing this story, i really enjoyed learning about Mr Misaka.