Wisconsin commit Connor Essegian trying to end historic Central Noble career with state title
ALBION, Ind. (BVM) 鈥� Connor Essegian has a bright future ahead of him with a strong Big Ten basketball program. But for right now, it鈥檚 all about the present, and ending what has been an historic career at Central Noble High School on a high note.
The success for the Cougars really picked up during Essegian鈥檚 sophomore season in 2019-20 when they went 22-5, the best record in program history. A lot of that was due to the emergence of the 6-foot-4 standout who averaged 24 points and nearly eight rebounds per game that season. In total, Essegian scored 648 points as a sophomore, which is a single-season record for Noble County.
After winning its first three postseason games, Central Noble fell in a heartbreaker to Churubusco, coming up just short of the team鈥檚 state championship dreams.
However, the Cougars came back strong the following season. With Essegian again averaging over 24 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game, Central Noble produced an impressive 24-2 record, going nearly three months without a loss. Among many of the notable highlights for the guard that season was setting a single-game program record with 44 points in a 71-61 victory over Churubusco.
Central Noble earned another Northeast Corner Conference (NECC) tournament title last season, but fell in the postseason yet again to Churubusco in another five-point loss.聽
With tough finishes each of the last two seasons, the Cougars came into the 2021-22 campaign looking to finally reach state. So far, they have been able to replicate their success from last year, going 21-2 and winning a third straight NECC tournament title with Essegian scoring 39 in the clinching game.
After starting the season at 15-0, Central Noble has dropped two games to Eastside and most recently Fort Wayne South Side. However, a bounce back win over Fremont has the Cougars poised for a strong playoff run.
Of course, much of their success has again come because of Essegian, whose senior season has included some truly impressive milestones. Entering his senior year, the Mr. Basketball candidate and already held Central Noble鈥檚 program record for all-time points scored with 1,705, breaking a mark that stood for over four decades as a junior.
As a senior, he took that one step further, becoming the all-time leading scorer for both Noble County and the NECC, all while hitting the 2,000-point scoring mark in the process.聽
Grow up dreaming of this. Extremely blessed for the situation I am in today
— Connor Essegian (@CEssegian)
It鈥檚 marked what has been a truly impressive high school tenure for Essegian. Now, he hopes his team saves its best for last. The playoffs for the Cougars begin with a rematch they certainly have marked on their calendars against the team that has knocked them off the past two seasons: Churubusco.
A potential state run may be on Essegian鈥檚 horizon, but it will likely not be the last time he is playing meaningful games in March. Last September, Essegian officially committed to joining a Big Ten power in the Wisconsin Badgers, a team that has missed the NCAA Tournament just twice since 1999 鈥� one of those seasons being in 2020 where they would have made the Big Dance had it been held.
Essegian鈥檚 recruiting began to really pick up after a tremendous summer with Indiana Elite on the Adidas 3SSB circuit where he averaged nearly 16 points and six rebounds per contest.聽
2022 SG Connor Essegian highlights from the Adidas 3SSB Championships!
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms_)
With many different schools showing interest and offers, Essegian narrowed his list down to seven, which included the likes of Minnesota, Wake Forest, Butler and Creighton.
And then there were 7鈥�
— Connor Essegian (@CEssegian)
But when it came down to it, the Central Noble senior had his mind set on Wisconsin, committing to become the only member of the Badgers鈥� 2022 class.聽
Badger Nation let鈥檚 get to work!馃敶鈿笍
— Connor Essegian (@CEssegian)
https://twitter.com/CEssegian/status/1438282570043740162
After an unofficial trip in August, Essegian went on his official visit to Madison, Wisconsin in early September. Instantly, he knew the campus, program and team were the right fit for him. After taking a little time, Essegian called head coach Greg Gard to inform him he would be becoming a Badger.
About two weeks later, Essegian finally announced his commitment to the public, and signed his national letter of intent in November. By choosing Wisconsin, Essegian became the first signee from Indiana to join the program since Charlie Willis in 1997.聽
Pristine Prospect 馃挴
Excited to announce is joining our Badger Family!
鉁掞笍馃摪
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB)
鈥淐onnor brings a unique skill set that Badger fans will appreciate,鈥� Gard said on signing day. 鈥淭he first thing that stands out in his game is his elite shooting ability. He’s the type of player that will stretch the floor and knows how to move without the ball. He also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. Connor is confident, yet humble, which fits in well with our culture and something we take pride in. He’s shown that he understands what his strengths and weaknesses are, and he is ready and willing to put in the work. Connor is not only an excellent student in the classroom, but also a student of the game. He comes from a great family. Rich and Jody have done a great job raising Connor and his younger brother, Sam. We are so glad that they’ve decided to join our Badger Family.鈥�
Essegian has of course already made connections with Gard, the rest of the coaching staff and current players. While Wisconsin felt like home for him, it was the fact that they valued him as that also swayed his decision.
At Wisconsin, Essegian joins a consistent program that is having one of its best seasons since back-to-back Final Four runs in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The squad has been led by player of the year candidate Johnny Davis along with fifth-year senior Brad Davison, both of whom will likely not be back next season.
However, Wisconsin still maintains a strong core with guys like Tyler Wahl, Steven Crowl and Chucky Hepburn. Adding Essegian to the fold will bring another strong scoring presence who can really allow the Badgers to stretch the floor.
Essegian also follows in a long lineage of terrific guards for the Badgers dating back to the Bo Ryan era. Guys like Davison, Zak Showalter, Josh Gasser and Ben Brust are just some of the recent players to come through the program with a similar skillset to that of the Central Noble standout.
If Essegian performs to the level he has during his high school career, the Badgers may have a future star in their program. But for the next month, it will be about ending that high school career on the right note. That begins on Tuesday with a game against Churubusco, and Essegian and the Cougars are hoping it ends with a celebration next month at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
