Isaiah Hartenstein is playing the best NBA season of his career – and that with the top team of the Oklahoma City Thunder. This should also help the German national team in the future.
Los Angeles (dpa) – NBA pro Isaiah Hartenstein has confirmed his participation in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles for the German national basketball team. “I’ll definitely play in the Olympics,” the Oklahoma City Thunder pro told the German press agency after the victory at the Los Angeles Clippers. Representatives of the German Basketball Federation (DBB), including national coach Alex Mumbru, recently visited him in Oklahoma City. “We had good talks,” reported Hartenstein. The next Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles in 2028.
It is still unclear whether Hartenstein will play for the national team at the European Championships this summer. “I just have to see what happens in the playoffs,” said Hartenstein. “I have said that I definitely want to play in the Olympics. The other things just have to be seen, how my body feels.” OKC is the leader of the Western Conference.
Hartenstein is one of the best centers in the NBA
“I’m in a good situation now and I think I’m one of the top bigs in the league. Before that, I had to prove myself and wasn’t sure of my role or I was injured. But now it’s a case of me wanting to play more, wanting to do more for Germany,” said the 26-year-old. Players who play the center position are also known as “big men” in the NBA. Hartenstein is a regular player in Oklahoma City.
Hartenstein emphasized how important the development of German basketball is to him. This is also the reason for his investment in the Bundesliga club ratiopharm Ulm. “We want to develop players and try to get more Germans into the NBA,” said Hartenstein.
