Wat Kept Playing

The Inspiring Story of Wataru Misaka and His Rise to the NBA

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Pub Date Mar 05 2024 | Archive Date Mar 19 2024

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Description

Meet Asian American basketball hero Wataru Misaka. His story will inspire young readers to challenge barriers, dream big, and keep playing.

As the child of Japanese immigrants, Wataru “Wat” Misaka often felt like he didn’t fully belong in either Japanese or American culture. He was sometimes excluded, treated differently, and bullied, even though he was born in the United States.

As he grew up, however, Wat discovered he had a very special talent for playing basketball. Even at just five foot seven, he was unstoppable.

Wat was a key player on his basketball teams, leading both his high school and college teams to victory in state and national championships.

But could he finally achieve his dream of playing basketball professionally? Would people finally recognize Wat for who he truly was—a person who was both Japanese and American and an amazing basketball player?
Meet Asian American basketball hero Wataru Misaka. His story will inspire young readers to challenge barriers, dream big, and keep playing.

As the child of Japanese immigrants, Wataru “Wat” Misaka...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781639932085
PRICE $19.99 (USD)
PAGES 32

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Featured Reviews

I loved every page of this book, and it is one I look forward to sharing with my kids. Stories like Wat's can help teach the next generation about the dangers of racism and the absolute need for diversity within our homes and communities. It took me back a little to read about how Wat was treated in his home town and state, which happens to be where I currently live. I think it will bring up a good talking point for my children: racial discrimination doesn't happen somewhere else, it happens everywhere. Wat's story needs to be told, and I loved reading it.

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An inspirational story about a boy who did not give up on his dreams, but believed in himself despite the bullying exclusion, and differences.
He was Asian American in a WWII era when that was not a good thing. He was only 5'7" in a basketball world that honored height. He didn't feel that he fit in in the Japanese or the American world, and neither did those around him.
But did he give up? NO- he challenged barriers, dreamt big, and kept playing.
Wat eventually led his high school team to a state championship, played in college- helping his team win the NCAA Championship twice, served in the US Army, and was the first person of color the play in the NBA.
All because he didn't give up. He had more obstacles than most, yet he persevered.

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