Wataru "Wat" Misaka, a Utah native of Japanese descent who was recognized as the first person of color to play in what is now the NBA, died Wednesday at the age of 95, the University of Utah said.

Misaka, who was born in Ogden, Utah, played for Weber Junior College in his hometown before playing at the University of Utah - where he helped the team to victory over Dartmouth in the 1944 NCAA championship game at Madison Square Garden.

After helping Utah to another national title Misaka joined the Basketball Association of America, predecessor of the NBA which includes the BAA's statistics in its history.