Wat Misaka, first nonwhite player in the NBA, dies at 95

Japanese American point guard debuted with the New York Knicks in 1947.



Wat Misaka, the pioneering Japanese American athlete who became the first person of color to play in modern professional basketball, died Wednesday in Salt Lake City. He was 95.

Wat Misaka, First Nonwhite in Modern Pro Basketball, Dies at 95

Misaka, the son of Japanese immigrants, starred for the University of Utah on teams that won two national tournament championships. In 1947, he made professional debut with the New York Knicks -- then part of the Basketball Association of America, a forerunner of the National Basketball.

Wat Misaka Throwback Jersey honors a basketball pioneer

Custom throwback jersey created by G Yamazawa.



Contrary to popular belief, Jeremy Lin was not the first player of Asian descent in the NBA. In 1947, Wat Misaka, a 5-foot-7 Japanese American point guard from Utah, suited up and played three games with the New York Knicks to become the first nonwhite player in professional basketball.

Now you know. Now check out this incredibly cool Wat Misaka Throwback replica jersey, created by acclaimed poet/emcee G Yamazawa, paying tribute to the pioneering sports figure.

Produced with the blessing of Misaka's family, this handmade, custom cut and sew throwback jersey comes in black and white inspired by Misaka's championship run at Weber College, as well as a fire red Japanese colorway. Each purchase includes a retro basketball card (including randomly inserted autograph editions) designed by Gabe Gets. 20% of profits will be donated to the Special Olympics.

Get it here.

Here are some more images:

Jeremy Lin meets basketball pioneer Wat Misaka

As you might have heard, Jeremy Lin was recently in Salt Lake City to take in a screening at the Sundance Film Festival and play some basketball. As it happens, your favorite Rockets point guard also had a meeting with history: First Asian American basketball player meets Jeremy Lin in Utah.

Before Monday night's game against the Utah Jazz, Jeremy met with basketball pioneer Wat Misaka, the first Asian American player in the NBA. The former Ute broke professional basketball's color line when he was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1947. Turns out that Misaka, now 89, has been following Jeremy's career since he was playing at Harvard: