The Amazing Tale of the First Minority in the NBA
October 23rd 2006 07:05
In a previous post on the history of the NBA a passing reference was made in regards to the first minority player in the league who was of Japanese descent. Quite remarkable when we would naturally assume that the first minority to play in the NBA would be of African-American origin, but like much of life making assumptions makes asses of us all.
So who is this amazing basketball player who broke the colour barrier in the
NBA? His name is Wataru Misaka, an American of Japanese origin who was born in Utah and has lived in that State for most of his life.
Misaka was a 5’7” point guard who started off playing his college ball at Weber Junior College, transferring to the University of Utah and helping them win the 1944 NCAA, and 1947 NIT championships.
Wataru was drafted in the first round by the New York Knicks and appeared in three games, scoring seven points, before being cut from the team for undisclosed reasons. After being cut Misaka was offered a position to play with the world famous Harlem Globetrotters but turned down the offer to return to university to obtain his engineering degree.
Coincidentally 1947 the year when Wataru was making history in the NBA, Jackie Robinson was also breaking the colour barrier in Major League Baseball, so the two are forever linked via their wonderful feats.
Wataru Misaka was inducted into Japanese-American National Bowling Hall of Fame in 1997. Two years later he was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame.
In conclusion much love and respect should be given to Wataru Misaka for his role in the history of NBA basketball.
So who is this amazing basketball player who broke the colour barrier in the
Wataru Misaka making history. Respect. (Image from asian-athlete.com)
Misaka was a 5’7” point guard who started off playing his college ball at Weber Junior College, transferring to the University of Utah and helping them win the 1944 NCAA, and 1947 NIT championships.
Wataru was drafted in the first round by the New York Knicks and appeared in three games, scoring seven points, before being cut from the team for undisclosed reasons. After being cut Misaka was offered a position to play with the world famous Harlem Globetrotters but turned down the offer to return to university to obtain his engineering degree.
Coincidentally 1947 the year when Wataru was making history in the NBA, Jackie Robinson was also breaking the colour barrier in Major League Baseball, so the two are forever linked via their wonderful feats.
Wataru Misaka was inducted into Japanese-American National Bowling Hall of Fame in 1997. Two years later he was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame.
In conclusion much love and respect should be given to Wataru Misaka for his role in the history of NBA basketball.
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