Asian Pioneers: Wat Misaka
Wat Misaka, a Japanese-American basketball player, made history in 1947 when he became the first person of Asian descent to play in the NBA. His journey to the NBA was not only a personal achievement, but also a significant moment for Asian Americans and for the sport of basketball. Misaka was born in Ogden, Utah, in 1923, and he grew up playing basketball in high school and college. After attending Weber Junior College, he transferred to the University of Utah, where he was a star player for the Utes. In 1947, he graduated from the university and was drafted by the New York Knicks, becoming the first Asian American to play in the NBA. During his brief time in the league, Misaka faced many challenges and obstacles. Not only was he a rookie, but he was also a person of color in a league that was primarily white. Despite these challenges, Misaka proved to be a skilled and talented player, and he helped the Knicks win the NBA championship in his debut season. Despite his success on the co