Nisei Player Stars as Utah Wins National Cage Crown

Wat Misaka Important Cog in Ute Victories Over Dartmouth, St. Johns

Wat Misaka, the University of ball star from Ogden, Utah, played Utah's Japanese American basket -- an important role as the "Blitz kids" from Salt Lake City won the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball championship from Dartmouth University in a thrill-packed 42-40 overtime game before 17,000 fans in New York's Madison Square Garden on March 28.

Misaka, who played all but the first two minutes of the game, was described by the Associated Press as "the best defensive player on the floor." He scored four points, in addition to his sterling defensive play.

On Thursday, March 30, in the battle for the mythical national collegiate championship, Misaka scored five points and was the spark-plug of the Utah offense as the Utahns defeate St. Johns of Brooklyn, 43-36, before 18,000 fans at the Red Cross benefit game in Madison Square Garden. Misaka, a native of Ogden and a graduate of Ogden high and Weber college, got an ovation from the fans, as the Utes defeated the winners of the Metropolitan invitational tournament.

Utah entered the western NCAA tournament at Kansas City last week after losing to Kentucky in the NCAA invitational tournament in New York City. The Utes defeated the University of Missouri in the semi-finals on March 24 by a 45-35 score, Misaka contributing five points.

In the western NCAA finals against Iowa State, Misaka played a brilliant game and received a tremendous ovation from the crowd of 5,000 when he left the game. Utah defeated Iowa State, 40 to 31 with Misaka turning in four field goals and a free throw. After winning the western NCAA title the young Utah team returned to New York for the national finals against Dartmouth.