Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Isaiah Hartenstein

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Isaiah Hartenstein made an impact.

Isaiah Hartenstein is a 7-foot American-German professional basketball player currently playing center for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. Hartenstein's key attribute is his height which helps him excel at the center position.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Joined QTSV Quakenbrück/Artland Dragons

In 2009, Isaiah Hartenstein joined the youth teams of QTSV Quakenbrück/Artland Dragons after his father signed to play with them.

2013: Won German championship

In 2013, Isaiah Hartenstein led the Artland Dragons' junior team to a German championship in the Under-16 Bundesliga JBBL and was named Most Valuable Player. He averaged 20.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.9 blocks on the season.

2014: FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship

In 2014, Isaiah Hartenstein represented Germany at the FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship.

2014: Jordan Brand Classic International Game

In 2014, Isaiah Hartenstein was selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic International Game, where he finished with four points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.

February 1, 2015: Bundesliga Debut

On February 1, 2015, at 16 years old, Isaiah Hartenstein made his debut in Germany's top-tier level Basketball Bundesliga, playing for 1:12 minutes against Eisbären Bremerhaven.

August 2015: Signed with Žalgiris Kaunas

In August 2015, Isaiah Hartenstein signed a deal with Lithuanian powerhouse Žalgiris Kaunas but remained with the Artland Dragons on loan. During the 2015–16 campaign, he played 14 games for Quakenbrück side, averaging 11.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 assists.

2015: FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship

In 2015, Isaiah Hartenstein represented Germany at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship.

January 2016: Joined Žalgiris Kaunas

In January 2016, Isaiah Hartenstein decided to leave the Artland Dragons and join Žalgiris Kaunas.

February 2016: Attended Basketball Without Borders Global Camp

In February 2016, Isaiah Hartenstein attended the "Basketball Without Borders Global Camp" during the NBA All-Star Weekend in Toronto, Canada.

September 28, 2016: LKL Debut

On September 28, 2016, Isaiah Hartenstein made his debut for Žalgiris in Lithuania's top-flight league, the LKL, against Šiauliai.

2016: FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship "All-Star Five"

In 2016, Isaiah Hartenstein helped Germany to a fourth-place finish at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, and earned a spot in the tournament's "All-Star Five".

April 7, 2017: Nike Hoop Summit performance

On April 7, 2017, Isaiah Hartenstein scored 10 points and grabbed three rebounds in 19 minutes of play at the Nike Hoop Summit.

April 22, 2017: Declared for the NBA draft

On April 22, 2017, Isaiah Hartenstein declared for the 2017 NBA draft.

June 22, 2017: Drafted by the Houston Rockets

On June 22, 2017, Isaiah Hartenstein was selected with the 43rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets.

August 2017: Debut with German national team

In August 2017, Isaiah Hartenstein debuted with the German men's national team and participated in EuroBasket 2017.

2017: Played in the NBA G League

During the 2017–18 campaign, Isaiah Hartenstein appeared in 38 games of the NBA G League, averaging 9.5 points and 6.6 rebounds a contest for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

2017: Lithuanian League championship

In 2017, Isaiah Hartenstein won a Lithuanian League championship with Zalgiris Kaunas. He was then selected by the Houston Rockets with the 43rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

July 25, 2018: Signed with the Houston Rockets

On July 25, 2018, Isaiah Hartenstein signed with the Houston Rockets.

2018: NBA G League championship

In the 2018–19 season, Isaiah Hartenstein won the NBA G League championship with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He also won the NBA G League Finals MVP award.

February 7, 2019: First career triple-double

On February 7, 2019, Isaiah Hartenstein recorded his first career triple-double after posting 12 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 103–102 road win against the Salt Lake City Stars.

June 23, 2020: Waived by the Houston Rockets

On June 23, 2020, the Houston Rockets announced that they had waived Isaiah Hartenstein.

November 30, 2020: Signed with the Denver Nuggets

On November 30, 2020, the Denver Nuggets announced that they had signed Isaiah Hartenstein to a multi–year contract.

March 25, 2021: Traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers

On March 25, 2021, Isaiah Hartenstein and two future second-round picks were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for center JaVale McGee.

September 27, 2021: Signed with the Los Angeles Clippers

On September 27, 2021, Isaiah Hartenstein signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

July 12, 2022: Signed with the New York Knicks

On July 12, 2022, Isaiah Hartenstein signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New York Knicks.

July 6, 2024: Signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder

On July 6, 2024, Isaiah Hartenstein signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

November 20, 2024: Thunder Debut

On November 20, 2024, Isaiah Hartenstein made his Oklahoma City Thunder debut, putting up 13 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, and three assists in a 109–99 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

2024: Signed with the Thunder

In 2024, Isaiah Hartenstein signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2025: NBA Finals win with the Thunder

In 2025, Isaiah Hartenstein won the NBA Finals in his first season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2025: NBA Championship win

In 2025, during his first season with the Thunder, Isaiah Hartenstein won his first NBA championship as the team defeated the Indiana Pacers 103–91 in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. He contributed seven points and nine rebounds in the clinching game.