WAT MISAKA

Wat Misaka became the first person of color in the NBA, when the New York Knickerbockers drafted him in 1947. He was a tenacious player, who had grown up playing competitively in the state of Utah. His college career started at Weber State where he won 2 national championships. Afterwards, he served for two years in the U.S. army during World War 2. This was not an easy time for Japanese Americans, yet he persevered above the discrimination. Upon returning home from the war, he played two more years at the University of Utah, where he won another national championship. Although his NBA career was short-lived, just a single season, his impact on the game can be felt even today. He paved the way for thousands of other players of color to play the sport.