KILO-WAT explores the life and legacy of point guard Wat "Kilo-Wat" Misaka, who led the University of Utah men's basketball team to the 1944 NCAA Championship at the height of World War II, when persons of Japanese descent from California, Washington, and Oregon were incarcerated in camps such as Topaz.

As residents of Utah, the Misaka family was spared incarceration.

Immediately following the Championship, Wat was drafted into the U.S. Army and, after the war ended, was assigned to interview survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima.

When he returned home, he led the team to the 1947 NIT Championship, completed his degree in mechanical engineering, and was drafted by the New York Knicks, breaking the color barrier in professional basketball.

KILO-WAT explores what it means to make history within history.

The University of Utah retired Wat Misaka's number (20) in 2022.

Middle and high school teachers, please email our Education Coordinator Sharah Meservy to inquire about student matinees February 11-13. We also have limited resources to tour to a few schools February 18-21.