Wataru Misaka

Wataru "Wat" Misaka (December 21, 1923 – November 20, 2019) was an American professional basketball player. He was the first non-white player and the first player of Asian descent to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).^[1]

Misaka played college basketball for the Utah Utes.^[2] He played three games for the New York Knicks in 1947. He was born in Ogden, Utah.

Misaka died at the age of 95 on November 20, 2019 in Salt Lake City.^[3]

References

1. Vecsey, George (August 11, 2009). "Pioneering Knick Returns to Garden". The New York Times. p. B-9. Retrieved October 28, 2010. He lasted just three games, but is remembered as the first non-Caucasian player in modern professional basketball, three years before African-Americans were included.
2. "A Nisei in the NBA: The Wat Misaka Story". Hokubei.com. 2008-08-29. Archived from the original on 2008-11-22. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
3. "Wat Misaka, First Nonwhite in Modern Pro Basketball, Dies at 95". The New York Times. November 21, 2019.