Shining the Light on how Kilo-Wat Broke Basketball’s Color Barrier

Episode 4 April 24, 2025 00:50:49
Shining the Light on how Kilo-Wat Broke Basketball’s Color Barrier
Roots, Race & Culture
Shining the Light on how Kilo-Wat Broke Basketball’s Color Barrier

Apr 24 2025 | 00:50:49

/

Show Notes

In America, Jackie Robinson is a household name, known for breaking the color barrier in professional baseball. But did you know that the color barrier in basketball was broken by a Utah native?

Wataru Misaka was the first non-white athlete in professional basketball when he was drafted by the New York Knicks. At the time, there were two professional leagues which merged into the NBA in 1949, so this legend of professional basketball has largely gone unrecognized until recently.

Meet two people who are working to bring Wat’s story to Utah audiences through a stage play: Aaron Asano Swenson, playwright of "Kilo-Wat", and actor Bryan Kido.

Other Episodes

Episode 6

June 17, 2022 00:36:48
Episode Cover

Colorism

Colorism, known as the prejudice or discrimination against those with lighter or darker skin tones, even among people belonging to a shared racial or...

Listen

Episode 2

October 16, 2025 00:27:04
Episode Cover

Refugee Experiences in Utah

Utah has a history of refugees predating statehood itself, starting with the Mormon pioneers in the mid-1800s. Today, over 70,000 refugees call the Beehive...

Listen

Episode 3

October 20, 2023 00:38:42
Episode Cover

Jazzin' in the Beehive State

Celebrate the history of Jazz music in Utah. Along with guests Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin and George Brown, Danor and Lonzo discuss the evolution of jazz...

Listen