By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Oklahoma City Thunder forward-center Isaiah Hartenstein is back with Germany’s senior national team, making it clear that his return is about far more than just adding another chapter to his international career.
After more than eight years away from the program, the 28-year-old big is excited to represent Germany once again, having last worn the national team jersey back in February 2018 during a FIBA World Cup 2019 Qualifiers matchup against Georgia. “I’m really happy,” he stated in a recent interview with German media outlet Basketball World. “I actually wanted to play for the last two years.”
Hartenstein was entirely candid about his journey and the long absence, explaining the intense pressure to secure his NBA career. “For the first four or five years, I had to prove myself in the NBA. It was important to me what the teams thought and how I could establish myself there. I was often told I should stay and train. But now that I’m firmly established in the NBA and have found my role, I’ve always wanted to play and give something back,” he mentioned.
Beyond his national team duties, Hartenstein maintains a deep connection to German hoops as an active investor in ratiopharm Ulm, where he regularly participates in club and youth events. While acknowledging that some fans in Germany might see things a little differently and think he has not shown enough commitment, he attributes past absences to summer injuries and rehabilitation.
“I want to help the next generation and push German basketball so that when my son hopefully starts playing someday, the sport will be even bigger. I want people to be able to look back and say, ‘we really did something for German basketball’,” he focused on the future of the sport.
His timely return gives head coach Alex Mumbru a massive frontcourt boost. Germany is set to start Group K of the European Qualifiers with a commanding 5-1 record, sitting comfortably two games safe in the top-three zone to secure a spot in next summer’s FIBA World Cup 2027.
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