Model Kourtney Kellar recently shared her emotions and anticipations on social media as she and her husband, NBA center Isaiah Hartenstein, prepare for a new chapter in their lives in Oklahoma City.
This announcement followed news that Hartenstein, formerly with the New York Knicks, has signed a significant three-year contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, valued at $87 million.
Kellar bid a heartfelt farewell to New York City via an Instagram post that expressed gratitude for the memorable two years spent there.
Her post included a nostalgic photo of her wearing Hartenstein’s No. 55 Knicks jersey as she walked through the iconic back hallways of Madison Square Garden. Hartenstein himself responded affectionately to the post, leaving a simple red heart emoji in the comments.
In addition to her farewell post, Kellar took to her Instagram Stories to share another significant moment, this time depicting her on the basketball court at The Garden, tenderly cradling her baby bump. The couple had previously announced that they are expecting a baby boy, adding yet another layer of excitement to their lives.
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Kellar expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming relocation and Hartenstein’s new opportunity with the Thunder, saying, “Excited for the next chapter in OKC & so proud of you,” alongside a breaking news alert about Hartenstein’s lucrative deal.
The personal history of the couple is one of romance and timing. Hartenstein proposed to Kellar in April 2022 on a picturesque beach in Malibu, presenting her with a stunning oval-cut diamond ring. They celebrated their union by tying the knot in the following summer aboard a yacht in California. Their relationship began back in 2019 after Hartenstein reached out to Kellar via direct message, complimenting her smile—an interaction that Kellar found incredibly endearing, as reported by TMZ.
After several virtual dates, they met in person in Houston, where Hartenstein was playing for the Rockets at the time, and their relationship flourished from there.
Kellar, who has a background as a ring girl, had moved from Los Angeles to New York to be with Hartenstein when he joined the Knicks. During his last season with the Knicks, Hartenstein played in 75 games, starting 49, and averaged 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 64.4%.
As Hartenstein joins a young and promising Thunder squad that includes MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 2022 No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, another first-round pick from the same draft, his skills in elite defense and rim protection are expected to significantly bolster the team.
This transition comes as the Thunder continue to build a competitive roster, having recently acquired Alex Caruso in a trade from the Bulls for Josh Giddey, the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Thunder, who finished the regular season as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference but were eliminated by the Mavericks in the second round of the playoffs, are looking to leverage their strengthened lineup for a deeper playoff run in the upcoming season.
