HARTENSTEIN ABOUT HIS PLANS TO GIVE BACK. WHEN I GOT HERE, SAM DID A GREAT JOB OF JUST SHOWING US THE OKLAHOMA STANDARD. AND SO I THINK JUST COMING HERE, THAT’S ALWAYS MY FIRST INTENT IN MIND. THE BIG MAN SETS A HIGH BAR. I NEED TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO HELP THE NEXT GENERATION. ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN STOPPED BY THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB IN NORTHEAST OKC TO UNVEIL A NEW OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT, COURTESY OF THE HARTENSTEIN FOUNDATION. WE’VE IF IT’S SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IF ONE KID GETS SOMETHING OUT OF IT, I THINK MY LIFE IS FULFILLED. THE SEVEN FOOTER SAYS HIS BASKETBALL PATH STARTED ON AN OUTDOOR COURT, AND HE WANTS TO GIVE KIDS A CHANCE TO START THEIR OWN DREAMS. THAT’S HOW KIND OF MY DREAM STARTED. WAS ON AN OUTDOOR COURT AND YEAH, SEEING IT NOW, IT’S SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL. I MEAN, JUST GIVING THE KIDS THAT SAFE SPACE WHERE THEY CAN JUST GO OUT, HAVE FUN, A SAFE SPACE WHERE NO JUMP SHOT IS SAFE. GIVEN HE WAS OUT THERE WITH THE KIDS PLAYING DEFENSE, IT COMES BACK ON A REGULAR BASIS AND REALLY CARES ABOUT THEM AND ASKS THEM QUESTIONS. IT JUST MEANS SO MUCH TO ANY KID IN THEIR LIFE TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE THAT INTERESTED. AND IT LIKELY WON’T BE THE LAST TIME THE KIDS SEE IT IN PERSON. I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT WHAT ISAIAH HAS DONE FOR OUR KIDS AT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS. HE HAS BEEN BECOME A REGULAR AT SOME OF OUR
Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein unveils new basketball court at Boys and Girls Club in OKC
OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein visited the Boys and Girls Club in northeast Oklahoma City to open a new basketball court and share his commitment to giving back to the community.
Updated: 10:19 PM CDT Sep 24, 2025
OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein visited the Boys and Girls Club in northeast Oklahoma City on Wednesday to unveil a new outdoor basketball court, funded by the Hartenstein Foundation, and to express his dedication to giving back to the community.>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel”When I got here, Sam did a great job of just showing us the Oklahoma standard, and coming here, that’s always my first intent in mind,” Hartenstein said.The big man sets a high bar.”I need to figure out ways to give back and help the next generation,” he said.Hartenstein shared that his own basketball journey began on an outdoor court, and he hopes to provide kids with the opportunity to pursue their dreams.”Even if it’s something like this, if one kid gets something out of it, I think my life is fulfilled,” he said. “That’s kinda how my dream started, was on an outdoor court, and seeing it now, it’s something really special — it’s giving kids that safe space to go out and have fun.”During his visit, Hartenstein played defense with the kids, showcasing his skills on the court and providing them with a memorable experience.Teena Belcik, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club, praised Hartenstein’s dedication to the children. “He comes back on a regular basis, and really cares about them, and asks them questions — it means so much to any kid in their life to have someone like that, that’s interested,” she said.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.”I cannot say enough about what Isaiah has done for our kids, at Boys and Girls Clubs, he’s been a regular at some of our clubs,” Belcik said.Top Headlines2 detainees killed and another critically injured in Dallas ICE facility, Homeland Security saysNorman City Councilwoman Bree Montoya announces resignation after social media commentsGet the Facts: Fact-checking Trump administration link of Tylenol use during pregnancy to autismGet the Facts: Autism rates increased to 1 in 31. This is where the CDC got its numbersFarming accident claims life of young woman in Woods County
OKLAHOMA CITY —
OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein visited the Boys and Girls Club in northeast Oklahoma City on Wednesday to unveil a new outdoor basketball court, funded by the Hartenstein Foundation, and to express his dedication to giving back to the community.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
“When I got here, Sam did a great job of just showing us the Oklahoma standard, and coming here, that’s always my first intent in mind,” Hartenstein said.
The big man sets a high bar.
“I need to figure out ways to give back and help the next generation,” he said.
Hartenstein shared that his own basketball journey began on an outdoor court, and he hopes to provide kids with the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
“Even if it’s something like this, if one kid gets something out of it, I think my life is fulfilled,” he said. “That’s kinda how my dream started, was on an outdoor court, and seeing it now, it’s something really special — it’s giving kids that safe space to go out and have fun.”
During his visit, Hartenstein played defense with the kids, showcasing his skills on the court and providing them with a memorable experience.
Teena Belcik, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club, praised Hartenstein’s dedication to the children.
“He comes back on a regular basis, and really cares about them, and asks them questions — it means so much to any kid in their life to have someone like that, that’s interested,” she said.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
“I cannot say enough about what Isaiah has done for our kids, at Boys and Girls Clubs, he’s been a regular at some of our clubs,” Belcik said.
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