What do Isaiah Hartenstein, The Pope, and Kon Knueppel’s younger brothers have in common? They’re all the focuses of today’s Out of Bounds newsletter. Read to see how they all fit in ⬇️

Today’s Lineup

❤️ Hartenstein gives back to OKC students

Oklahoma City big man Isaiah Hartenstein is stacking wins on and off the court. Fresh off his NBA championship run, he won the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for his incredible offseason service.  

Through the Hartenstein Foundation, he teamed up with local groups like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County and Positive Tomorrows to give students shopping sprees, school supplies, and even a brand-new community basketball court. 

Hartenstein bankrolled these great institutions ($10,000 right after the Finals, then another $12,000 in September) to help families experiencing homelessness get their kids ready for the school year. He unveiling a fresh outdoor court and giving kids a chance to grab clothes and essentials before classes kicked off. 

Plus, the German national ensured his impact stretched back to the fatherland, where he hosted his weeklong iHart Festival featuring hoops, dunks, music, food, and a full-on playground for kids in Germany.

🙏 Spike Lee gifts Pope Leo a Knicks jersey

In headlines you’d read in an alternate universe: Spike Lee gifted Pope Leo XIV a New York Knicks jersey on a visit to the Vatican last week. Recession indicator? Awesome example of the power of sport, film, and faith? Let’s say the latter.

While Pope Leo is from Chicago, Spike offered the Knicks jersey because three players went to Villanova, the Pope’s alma mater. The jersey had “Pope Leo” on the back and, of course, was #14. The head of the Catholic Church joins a line of great Knicks to wear the number 14 including Allonzo Trier, Willy Hernangomez, and MarJon Beauchamp 😂 

If you had a nickel for every NBA-affiliated visit to the Pope this decade, you’d have two nickels. Not much, but surprising it happened twice, no? 

In November of 2020, a delegation from the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) met with Pope Francis at the Vatican to talk about social and economic justice. 

The group included five notable players: Kyle Korver, Sterling Brown, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Tolliver, and Marco Belinelli. During the meeting in the papal library, they discussed their community work and efforts to fight inequality. 

Pope Francis praised them as “champions” and highlighted the way sports can unite people. The hoopers brought gifts including a commemorative basketball and an Orlando Magic jersey and expressed how meaningful it was to have a global religious leader support their activism. 🙏 

Remember playing in an AAU or school tournament and the team hangs out together at someone’s house the night before? Maybe someone’s mom cooks dinner for the squad. Your teammate’s little siblings annoy the group.

Well, the Charlotte Hornets, a roster full of famous multimillionaire adults, did that same thing a few days ago when visiting the Bucks.

Kon Knueppel grew up in Milwaukee and so his family hosted the roster for a team dinner. Also present were his brothers Kager, Kinston, Kash, and Kid. A starting five of Knueppels in 2035 would break the NBA!

This Hornets team really seems to Enjoy spending time with each other, and we love that ❤️

Signing Off

Despite our staff telling us to load manage, we’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning! Who says back-to-backs are on the decline? Have a great Sunday! ✌️

-Conor Geelan