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. He is known for his size and plays the center position.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Joined Artland Dragons Youth Teams

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

2013: German Championship and MVP Award

In the 2013-14 season, Isaiah Hartenstein led the Artland Dragons' junior team to a German championship in the Under-16 Bundesliga JBBL and was named Most Valuable Player.

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 recorded four points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.

February 1, 2015: Basketball Bundesliga Debut

On February 1, 2015, at age 16, Isaiah Hartenstein made his debut in Germany's top-tier level Basketball Bundesliga, playing briefly against Eisbären Bremerhaven.

August 2015: Signed with Žalgiris Kaunas

In August 2015, Isaiah Hartenstein signed with Lithuanian powerhouse Žalgiris Kaunas but remained with the Artland Dragons on loan.

2015: FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship

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

January 2016: Left Artland Dragons for Žalgiris Kaunas

In January 2016, Isaiah Hartenstein decided to leave the Artland Dragons to fully 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: Debut in Lithuania's LKL

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

2016: FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship

In 2016, Isaiah Hartenstein helped carry 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

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: Selected in NBA draft

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 made his debut with the German men's national team and took part in EuroBasket 2017.

2017: NBA G League Statistics

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

2017: Lithuanian League Championship

In 2017, Isaiah Hartenstein won a Lithuanian League championship while playing for Zalgiris Kaunas.

July 25, 2018: Signed with Houston Rockets

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

2018: NBA G League championship

In the 2018–19 season, Hartenstein scored 33 points and made a career-high 8 3-pointers in the series-clinching game as they won the NBA G League championship with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He won the NBA G League Finals MVP award.

February 7, 2019: First 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 win against the Salt Lake City Stars.

June 23, 2020: Waived by Houston Rockets

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

November 30, 2020: Signed with 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 Cleveland Cavaliers

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

September 27, 2021: Signed with Los Angeles Clippers

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

July 12, 2022: Signed with 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 Thunder

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

2024: Signed with the Thunder

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

November 7, 2025: Career-High Points

On November 7, 2025, Isaiah Hartenstein recorded a career-high 33 points, along with 19 rebounds and three blocks in a victory over the Sacramento Kings.

2025: NBA Finals Win

In 2025, Hartenstein and the Thunder won the NBA Finals in his first season with the team.

2025: First NBA championship

In his first season with the Thunder, Hartenstein won his first NBA championship as the team defeated the Indiana Pacers 103–91 in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.