Isaiah Hartenstein is known for his gritty play as the Oklahoma City Thunder's center—but it's his work off the court that's truly making headlines.

In a touching feature by ESPN's Tim Keown, a story about Hartenstein's volunteer work reveals the profound impact NBA players can have on their communities. While volunteering at City Rescue Mission, a local shelter, Hartenstein noticed a young boy eyeing him before finally walking over.

"Hey, I recognize you," the boy said.

"Oh, yeah," Hartenstein replied, trying to play it cool. "I'm Isaiah Hartenstein. I play center for the Thunder."

But the boy wasn't impressed by his NBA stardom. "No, no, that's not it," he said. "You were here at Halloween."

The boy remembered Hartenstein not as a towering athlete, but as someone who showed up and spent time with him. For Hartenstein, that moment was priceless. As Keown writes, "Hartenstein says he loves that story because it allows him to feel normal, just a guy volunteering his time and not a wealthy athlete trying to stay on the right side of karma."

This story resonates especially now, as the Thunder are reigning champions and favorites to repeat this season. Hartenstein's addition last year was a key piece of their title run, providing the connective tissue for their offense. But his impact goes far beyond the stat sheet.

Hartenstein clearly understands the value of making people feel like they belong. And this heartwarming story is a reminder that the biggest impact NBA players can make isn't always on the court—it's in the lives they touch along the way.