Isaiah Hartenstein is a German-American professional basketball player currently playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA.
Born on May 5, 1998, in Eugene, Oregon, he has a diverse background with an African-American father who is a former professional player and coach, and a white American mother.
The family moved to Germany in 2008, where Isaiah began to develop his basketball skills.
Hartenstein’s professional career started in Germany with the Artland Dragons, where he excelled in youth leagues and helped lead his junior team to a championship.
He later joined Žalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania before declaring for the NBA Draft in 2017.
Selected as the 43rd overall pick by the Houston Rockets, he played for them until 2020, making a significant impact in the G League and earning Finals MVP honors.
Parents
Isaiah’s parents are Florian Hartenstein and Theresa Hartenstein.
Florian, a former professional basketball player and coach, has African-American heritage and played college basketball at the University of Oregon.
He has also played in the German league. Theresa is a white American from Oregon.
The couple met while Florian was attending university, and they later moved to Germany due to his basketball career.
Isaiah was born on May 5, 1998, in Eugene, Oregon, and spent his early years there before relocating with his family to Germany in 2008.
His father played a significant role in developing Isaiah’s basketball skills, emphasizing versatility in his training.
Career
Hartenstein is a professional basketball player currently with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA.
He gained attention in youth basketball leagues and participated in international camps, showcasing his talent.
Hartenstein declared for the NBA Draft in 2017 and was selected as the 43rd overall pick by the Houston Rockets.
Hartenstein began his NBA career with the Houston Rockets, where he played from 2018 to 2020.
During his time with the Rockets, he had notable performances, including a triple-double in the G League and winning the G League Finals MVP.
After being waived by the Rockets in June 2020, he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2020-2021 season. He later played for the Los Angeles Clippers before joining the Thunder.
In the current season (2024-2025), Hartenstein signed a lucrative three-year contract worth $87 million with the Thunder, which includes $58.5 million guaranteed.
He has established himself as a key player for the team, currently averaging 11.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
