IN A WILD NBA SEASON, AAPI REPRESENTATION STOOD OUT

By Albert Chang-Yoo

The 2022-23 NBA season was full of twists-and-turns, ultimately resulting in the first-ever championship for Colorado’s own Denver Nuggets.

In such a boisterous season, it’s easy to overlook the fact that this year, there were more Asian American and Pacific Islander players than ever before. Here are profiles for some of them:

Yuta Watanabe

Current Team: Brooklyn Nets

Background: Japanese

Born: Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

Avid hoopers have likely heard of Yuta “the Shoota” Watanabe, who led the league in 3-point field goal percentage during the early stages of the season. Even in the midst of playing on a drama-filled Brooklyn team, with superstars such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Watanabe became a steady rotational player for the Nets.

With reliable on-ball defense and quick catch-and-shoot 3’s, Watanabe has become a fan-favorite. Watanabe is a 6 ‘10 forward who first came into the league in 2018, but was stuck playing in the NBA’s G-League until the Toronto Raptors offered him a contract.

Rui Hachimura

Current Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Background: Japanese

Born: Toyama, Japan

On January 23, 2023, Rui Hachimura was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Los Angeles Lakers, the 2nd-largest market in the NBA. On a heavily-scrutizined team starring Lebron James, Hachimura was a part of a re-worked Lakers team that went from the 10th seed to the Western Conference Finals. He blossomed during the playoffs, scoring 29 points during a crucial Game 1 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. Hachimura was the 9th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, the only Japanese-born player to be picked in the first round. In the past four seasons, he has proven to be an exceptional athlete, with high-flying dunks and efficient mid-range game.

Jordan Clarkson

Current Team: Utah Jazz

Background: Filipino-American

Born: Tampa, Florida

After losing their best players, Donavan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, during the offseason many questioned how the Utah Jazz would survive. It turned out that a key piece was Jordan Clarkson, who averaged a career high in points (20.8) and assists (4.4) per game this season. Clarkson came to Utah as a bench player and won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2021. Additionally, Clarkson (who is half Filipino) is expected to play on the Phillipines National Team during this year’s FIBA World Cup.

Jaylin Williams

Current Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Background: Vietnamese-American

Born: Fort Smith, Arkansas

As the 34th pick of the 2022 Draft, Jaylin Williams became the first person of Vietnamese descent to play in the NBA. Williams’ mother and grandmother arrived in the United States in 1975, escaping the Vietnam War. Despite being a rookie, Williams (AKA JWill) became starting center on a young but talented Oklaham City Thunder team, bringing in needed defensive grit. Although OKC missed the playoffs, they exceeded expectations and appear to be moving in a winning trajectory. There’s no doubt NBA fans will likely see more of JWill in the future.

Colorado celebrates the designation of Lunar New Year an observed state holiday

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

More than 400 community members celebrated the historic passing of HB23-1271, designating Lunar New Year as an Observed State Holiday in Colorado at History Colorado on June 20.

“Our Lunar New Year Allies Advisory Group and Colorado made history! We have solidified one of the most significant holidays for our Asian community by ensuring its permanence for our state and our community,” said Vương-Sandoval, Chair, Lunar New Year Allies Advisory Group.

“As a Việtnamese, a refugee, and a social justice advocate, this landmark law is incredibly meaningful. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of solidarity and support for our work and the continuing and enduring impact of this law for countless future generations.”

Moving forward, Lunar New Year will be celebrated every first Friday in February.

“It is up to the community and for everyone that lives in Colorado to take the opportunity on that day top acknowledge and appreciate the significance of the AAPI community,” said Fran Campbell, president of the Asian Chamber of Commerce in Colorado.

Campbell acknowledges thanks and gratitude to the bill sponsors in the state legislature:

• Colorado House Representative Matt Soper

• Colorado House Representative Serena Gonzalez Gutierrez

• Colorado Senator (Senadora) Julie Gonzalez

In addition, Campbell credited those who testified before the House Committee on behalf of HB 23-1271:

• Nga Vương-Sandoval, Chair of Lunar New Year Allies Advisory (LUNA) Group

• Father Joseph Dang, LUNA Advisory Group member

• Jeremy Shaver, Representative of Anti-Defamation League Rocky Mountain Region and Hate Free Colorado

• John Lee, Colorado Attorney General’s office

• Dan Sweetser, Deputy Executive Director of Colorado and

Denver

Bar Associations

• Neal Walia, Asian Pacific Development Center

• Ni Nguyen, local business owner

Campbell’s testimony included her position as president of the chamber, her active membership as part of the Filipino-American Community of Colorado and working closely with AAPI small business owners.

Virtual testimonies were provided by Mimi Luong, co-owner of Truong An Gifts and Far East Center; small business owner Tran Nguyen-Wills and president of the National Association of Asian American Professionals Janie Sayavong.

This celebration comes at a time when the AAPI community has mourned tragedies of hatred, xenophobia, and violence in recent years. The recognition of Lunar New Year comes with the hope to promote more cultural diversity and understanding across the state.

Nathan Yip Foundation celebrates Nathan’s birthday with annual sushi party

In celebration of Nathan’s birthday month, each year, the Nathan Yip Foundation hosts a sushi party during the month of June to fundraise for rural Colorado education.

The Nathan Yip Foundation (NYF) was founded in 2002 by Jimmy and Linda Yip, after they lost their only child, Nathan, in an car accident when Nathan was 19 years old.

The fundraising event held on June 24 at the Dome at AMG in Greenwood Village featured sushi prepared on-site by chef Miki Hashimoto, owner of TOKIO Restaurant in downtown Denver. In addition to sushi, a hosted bar with wine, beer, and sake and a wide array of Asian cuisine and desserts were offered including Jimmy’s famous rum cake.

NYF Executive Director Jill Henwood thanked guests for attending and shared a video featuring the foundation’s work. On each table was a QR code to a map showcasing all the grant recipients across Colorado that have been awarded by NYF since 2017. Seven years ago, the organization shifted its focus from building schools abroad to helping schools and teachers in “our backyard” of rural Colorado.

Learn more at nathanyipfoundation.org.

How to reduce your ozone impact this summer

While we cannot see or smell it, ground-level ozone is the Front Range’s most pressing air quality problem. It even accumulates the most on hot and sunny blue-sky days, when the Colorado air appears clear. How? Emissions from gas-powered vehicles, lawn equipment, and oil and gas production combine with the sunshine and heat to form this invisible pollutant. High up in the atmosphere, ozone serves an important purpose: it protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. But ground-level, it irritates our throats and lungs, increases our susceptibility to respiratory infections, and exacerbates ailments such as asthma.

Both colorless and odorless, ozone is different than wildfire smoke (sometimes mentioned as PM2.5) or the infamous “brown cloud” from decades past. Yet we have the power each day to reduce ground-level ozone in the Front Range. Here’s how you can help:

First, sign up for ozone alerts from the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). Visit SimpleStepsBetterAir.org/signup-foralerts to sign up for emails and/or text “BetterAirCO” to 21000 to receive air quality alerts on your phone. When a high ozone day is anticipated the next day or happening now, the RAQC will send you a text or email to let you know.

Second , take some Simple Steps for Better Air .

Skip two car trips per week by carpooling, combining errands, and walking, taking a scooter, bike, bus, or the light rail to get where you need to go. Ride RTD for free in July and August 2023 , as part of their Zero Fare for Better Air program to reduce ground-level ozone in the summer months. Work from home at least one day a week and eliminate your commute altogether!

More simple steps:

• Fuel up your car after 5 p.m., and don’t idle in the driveway or parking lot—instead, turn the car off & on again.

• Consider a low- or zero-emissions vehicle, like an electric vehicle (EV), when it’s time to purchase a new vehicle.

• Switch to electric lawn equipment, or mow after 5 p.m. when possible, to keep emissions from building up in the heat of the day.

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