OKC Thunder Player Releases Documentary on OKC Bombing Legacy

Isaiah Hartenstein explores the lasting impact of the 1995 tragedy in new short film

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:52am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game or match, with sharp planes of navy, crimson, and gold representing the sport's raw energy and competitive spirit.A young NBA player's documentary explores the lasting impact of a tragic event that shook his team's city to the core.Oklahoma City Today

Isaiah Hartenstein, a center for the Oklahoma City Thunder, is releasing a new short documentary titled "The Oklahoma Standard" that explores the lasting legacy of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Hartenstein, who was born three years after the tragedy, was inspired to make the film after visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial with the team.

Why it matters

The Oklahoma City bombing was a pivotal moment in the city's history, and Hartenstein's film aims to shed light on how the community has responded and healed in the decades since. As a current OKC Thunder player, Hartenstein hopes the documentary will help educate people about the bombing's ongoing impact and the city's resilience.

The details

Hartenstein's new short documentary, "The Oklahoma Standard," will be released publicly on his YouTube channel on April 19. The film explores the lasting legacy of the 1995 bombing that killed 168 people and injured hundreds more. Hartenstein was inspired to make the documentary after visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial with his team when he first signed with the Thunder two years ago.

  • Hartenstein was born in 1998, three years after the Oklahoma City bombing.
  • Hartenstein signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder two summers ago.
  • Hartenstein's documentary "The Oklahoma Standard" will be released on April 19, 2026.

The players

Isaiah Hartenstein

A center for the Oklahoma City Thunder who was born three years after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and is releasing a documentary exploring the tragedy's lasting impact.

Sam Presti

The general manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder who took the team to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial when Hartenstein first signed with the team.

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What they’re saying

“When I signed here two summers ago, Sam Presti took us to the (Oklahoma City National) Memorial, and just going through there and just seeing how the city responded really changed my mind about what it is to really give back.”

— Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder Player

The takeaway

Hartenstein's documentary serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and community spirit that has defined Oklahoma City in the decades since the 1995 bombing. By sharing this story, the young NBA player hopes to inspire others to give back and honor the memory of those lost.