Weber State University Athletics
Hall of Fame - Waturu (Wat) Misaka
3/17/2015 7:50:00 PM | Wildcat Club
Waturu (Wat) Misaka
Men's Basketball (1942-43)
Inducted October 2011
Wat Misaka, a hometown product, helped the Weber State program win a pair of ICAC junior college titles on his way to starring at the University of Utah and later becoming the first player of Asian descent to play in the National Basketball Association.
Misaka, a 5-foot-7 guard, was born in Ogden and enjoyed a stellar prep career at Ogden High School, graduating in 1941. Playing for Weber Junior College, Misaka helped lead the Wildcats to ICAC titles in 1942 and 43, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1942 junior college postseason tournament.
In 1943, Misaka was named the Weber Junior College athlete of the year.
He led the University of Utah to the 1944 NCAA Championship, along with fellow Ogden High alum Arnie Ferrin. He was also a part of the Utes' National Invitation Tournament championship team in 1947. Between those two titles, he served two years with the U.S. Army.
From there, Misaka was drafted in the first round of the 1947 draft by the New York Knicks.
Misaka's story has been documented in the film “Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story,” released in 2008. He has also been inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and has been honored by the Knicks and the NBA.
At 5-7, he is also one of the shortest players ever to play in the NBA.