Isaiah Hartenstein Confirms He’s Part Black

Isaiah Hartenstein is setting the record straight about his racial identity.

The NBA center addressed the topic during a recent appearance on The Roommates Show, a popular podcast series hosted by his New York Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.

“Let’s just jump right into it: Are you Black?” Brunson asked Hartenstein at the top of the sit-down.

“I really wanted to cover that,” Hart interjected. “I’m actually happy about this. Explain your Blackness—or level of Blackness.”

It’s a question that Hartenstein has tackled countless times before, as many are surprised to learn that the 7-foot-tall German-raised basketball player is mixed-race. The fair-skinned athlete confirmed his mom, Theresa, is a white American from Oregon, while his German-born dad, Florian Hartenstein, is half Black and half white.

“You know it’s, like, light skin? I’m bright skin. I’m above light-skinned,” he said with a laugh. “My dad is Black.”

NBA player Isaiah Hartenstein says he is black because his dad is black. “I'm a shade above light skin, I'm bright skin.” pic.twitter.com/ybmjXOnhFx

— SAY CHEESE! 👄🧀 (@SaycheeseDGTL) April 7, 2024

Hart admitted he was shocked to learn that Hartenstein was mixed-race and described the revelation as “crazy.” Hartenstein said the reaction was understandable, as his complexion leads many to believe he’s full white. {snip}

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