No place on the world champion team?
Hartenstein sends impressive Olympic application
December 19, 2023, 3:59 p.m
Isaiah Hartenstein is one of the New York Knicks’ assets in the win in Los Angeles. The center sets a new personal best against the Lakers. It wasn’t enough for the national team recently, but that remains his big goal.
Isaiah Hartenstein has underlined his application for a place in the German national basketball team with a new career best. In his New York Knicks’ 114:109 away game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the 25-year-old grabbed 17 rebounds – he had never grabbed so many in the NBA. In 39 minutes of playing time, Hartenstein, who had previously managed 16 rebounds twice in the best basketball league in the world, scored nine points. The best scorers for the guests were Jalen Brunson (29 points) and Julius Randle (27). The Lakers’ top scorer was Anthony Davis (32), superstar LeBron James had 25 points.
Hartenstein recently made his interest in the German national basketball team clear, but does not expect to be nominated for the Olympic squad. “I definitely want to play in the future. If I’m invited and I’m fit, then I’ll definitely play. But they’re doing a good job now, so you can’t complain about that. They’ve now won gold and want to probably perform with the same team again,” the New York Knicks center said. “I don’t think I’ll be invited to the Olympics under any circumstances.”
He last had contact with national coach Gordon Herbert before the World Cup. Hartenstein, who plays the same position as world champion Daniel Theis, said he doesn’t hold any grudges because of his exclusion. With the World Cup title in Manila, captain Dennis Schröder’s team not only qualified for the Olympics in Paris, but was also one of the favorites there.