The Thunder's rise to becoming a perennial contender is largely a product of major offseason moves in 2024. Among those moves was the three-year, $87 million contract given to free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein.
Hartenstein has one of the more unique career arcs in the league, going from a draft-and-stash product from Europe to a starter averaging a double-double for a 68-win team. As Hartenstein's game has evolved, his appearance has, too.
While he dons a shooting sleeve on his right arm, Hartenstein's tattoo sleeve is still unmistakable, including elaborate artwork on his shoulder and unseen ink on his forearm. After entering the league relatively bare-armed, Hartenstein has added some of the best tattoos in the game.
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Here is more on Hartenstein's tattoo journey from his rookie season in the NBA to now.
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Isaiah Hartenstein tattoos, explained
Isaiah Hartenstein's shoulder tattoo
Hartenstein completed his right arm with an elaborate piece on his shoulder in 2023.
The piece was done by Toronto-based French tattoo artist Ossian Staraj, who documented the work in a post shared on May 28, 2023. As described by Staraj, it is a "Jesus Christ & thorns design" placed to connect with Hartenstein's pre-existing work.
The process took two days, per Staraj.
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Lion and Eye of Providence
Hartenstein returned for his second NBA season with a completed half-sleeve after adding a lion and the Eye of Providence to the outer part of his right forearm.
The clearest photos of Hartenstein's updated half-sleeve came during media day in 2021 when he was a member of the Clippers.
Make every day your own Masterpiece
Hartenstein's first visible tattoo is on the inside of his left arm and was seen during his first-ever media day as a member of the Rockets in 2018.
The tattoo is of a basketball hoop and a basketball with the words "Make every day your own Masterpiece," in script lettering in between the net and ball. Under the ball is Hartenstein's birthdate: "05.05.98"
