February 20, 2020
Today, Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes joined Senator Jani Iwamoto in the Senate Chambers to honor Wataru Misaka, who was the first person of color to play in what is now the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Misaka began his basketball career at Ogden High School where he led his team to the 1940 state championship and regional championship in 1941. In 1942 and 1943, his Weber Junior College basketball team won the Intermountain Collegiate Athletic Conference junior college title. In 1944, he helped lead the basketball team to win the 1944 National Collegiate Athletic Association championship against Dartmouth. SCR 3 recognizes Misaka’s abilities and contributions to college and professional basketball.
Misaka’s jersey and number will be retired at the Jon M Huntsman Center.
Read the full citation here.
Watch the Senate Floor Recognition here.