“Let’s just jump right into it: Are you Black?” Without wasting a second, Jalen Brunson used his March interview with Isaiah Hartenstein to get into the inner stuff. Even his co-host Josh Hart was excited, as he stated, “I really wanted to cover that. I’m actually happy about this.” However, what was the need for this question to be a part of the Q&A discussion?

Upon first glance, the former New York Knicks center looks nowhere close to being of African-American heritage. So, was this a ‘Peter Griffin having a black ancestor kind of thing?’ Yes, actually, because there is more to Isaiah Hartenstein than meets the eye.

Therefore, without any further ado, let us find out about the NBA star’s family background.

What nationality is Isaiah Hartenstein? Exploring his Ethnic roots 

Born in the populous city of Eugene, Oregon, Isaiah Hartenstein is of American nationality. So are both of his parents. However, the NBA star identifies as a German-American because of his father’s heritage. Florian Hartenstein was born in the German city of Mainz to a German father and an American mother. It was during his high school days in America that he met Theresa, Isaiah’s mother.

Is Isaiah Hartenstein African-American? Why does the OKC Thunder star call himself bright skinned

Isaiah revealed that Theresa is a white American from Oregon. Florian, along with being German-born, is half black and half white, because of his parents. Most of us rarely get the chance to even explore outside our country. Meanwhile, Isaiah Hartenstein seems to have done part of a world tour just through his DNA!

“You know it’s, like, light skin? I’m bright skin. I’m above light-skinned,” said Hartenstein during the interview with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. “My dad is Black,” he then revealed.

Before Isaiah, Florian Hartenstein was the basketball star in the family. After high school, he took his basketball talents all the way to the University of Oregon. Over 4 seasons, he participated in 112 games and averaged 3.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.4 assists. After his tenure in Oregon was over, Florian returned to Germany. The hoopster then spent the next decade carving out a career as a player.

8 of those years were spent playing for the Giessen 46ers, while the remaining saw him play for the Artland Dragons. Later, he would coach their youth team, the Young Dragons, for 5 years before getting a senior coaching position with the Artland Dragons.

Florian was the inspiration for Isaiah’s journey to becoming an NBA star. He sure did his part in teaching his son what he knew. However, his family background made Isaiah a more likable personality on the basketball court, too. The Center, himself, has admitted.

Isaiah Hartenstein revealed Josh Hart and other players treating him differently due to his heritage: “The whole vibe changes”

The NBA court is the place where players of all races, religions, or countries of origin can compete and find out who can dunk better. Despite this, Isaiah Hartenstein revealed that his family background played a role in how he was treated amongst his peers.

During the same ‘Roommates Show’ interview, the player drew a reference to the Key and Peele Show, and the viral video in which President Obama (portrayed by Jordan Peele) had a different, and more affectionate, form of greeting for people of color.

Isaiah Hartenstein found the video quite relatable. After all, “When they find out I’m Black, it changes. The whole vibe changes. It goes from ‘Hey, Zay, how you doing?’ to ‘Yo, Zay, what up, man, you good?’ I think Hart did the same thing.”

Isaiah Hartenstein ended the discussion on his ethnicity by stating, “I don’t know what I claim. I don’t know if I claim black, white, German, American—I’m just kind of everything.” Though one might be confused about his background, not many dare to question his on-court game. In the end, that is what matters. With OKC Thunder currently occupying the 2nd seed on the points chart, Isaiah Hartenstein may very well see himself once again in the playoffs, making his dad and mum prouder than ever before.