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A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTORS When we first heard about Wat, we, like everyone else we talk to, were amazed to find out that in 1947 he was the first person of color to be drafted into professional basketball -- and by our hometown team, the New York Knicks, to boot. On top of that, he was their first draft pick - ever. Why had we never heard of him? And how difficult must it have been for him, a young Japanese American man, to be a basketball hero in post-World War II America? To be honest, even with all of these thoughts, when we first began this project, we thought that we'd be lucky to have enough for a very short film. But the more we came to find out what an amazing man Wat is and how extraordinary his leadership and perseverance during that time period were, the more we were inspired by him and compelled to see his achievements acknowledged in what has ended up being an 86 minute feature documentary film. Wat will tell you that he was just lucky to be on so many championship teams all the way through Junior High and High School to Junior College, Military leagues and the University of Utah (where he led the 1944 NCAA and 1947 NIT winning teams). We would argue that ultimately it was Wat's leadership and selfless team play that made those teams into championship teams. In fact, four out of five of the 1947 NIT championship team members returned the next year without Wat - but they could not come close to approaching the success they had had the year before. Wat simply had that intangible quality that coaches look for and dream of in an athlete. |
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In fact, Wat was such a charismatic athlete that, at a time when hostility against Japanese Americans was at its all time high, Knicks owner Ned Irish didn't think twice about the racial implications of having a Japanese American player on his team. The New York City fans were certainly ahead of their time in accepting him, too. During the 1947 NIT Championship Tournament at Madison Square Garden, Wat guarded and shut down Ralph Beard, All-American "Player of the Year" from Kentucky. And when Wat was not recognized in the selection of the MVP, the New York City crowds booed the choice. Unfortunately, Wat's NBA career was a short one. He only played three games, scoring seven points. Though the baseball world had a plan firmly in place that year when integrating Jackie Robinson into their league, no one thought about the possible repercussions of having a Japanese American player in professional basketball. Who can say how his career might have turned out in a less politically charged time. After being released from the Knicks, Wat was offered (but turned down) a spot with the Harlem Globetrotters, who at the time were considered to be the best team in the world. One more fact that speaks to Wat's amazing athleticism. When we first started our research we were shocked and saddened to see that though the Basketball Hall of Fame had an entire case devoted to 'Diversity in the NBA", Wat was nowhere to be found. We are very proud to have recified that on August 7. 2009. It is our greatest hope that in sharing his story with the world, not only will the Knicks have an opportunity to celebrate the historic and courageous choice they made in drafting Wat, but that we will all be reminded that the human spirit is powerful and transcending, especially if you're lucky enough to be a guy like Wat Misaka. Bruce Alan Johnson and Christine Toy Johnson - February 2009 THE FILMMAKERS
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BRUCE
ALAN JOHNSON 
CHRISTINE
TOY JOHNSON