Indiana Mr. Basketball Candidate- Connor Essegian
In 49 states it is just basketball, but this is Indiana. There is no better time of year than high school basketball season in the Hoosier state. Here at Prep Hoops Indiana, our staff will set out to bring the…
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Continue ReadingIn 49 states it is just basketball, but this is Indiana. There is no better time of year than high school basketball season in the Hoosier state. Here at Prep Hoops Indiana, our staff will set out to bring the very best coverage from throughout the state. Evansville, Gary, South Bend, Terre Haute, we will leave no corner of Indiana unturned.
Now that official practices are quickly approaching and we are just weeks away from tipping off the first game, it is time to dive head first into previewing the upcoming season. Over the coming weeks you can expect breakdowns of each class along with teams and players to watch, a look at the top Mr. Basketball and Indiana All-Star candidates, preseason team rankings, and much, much more. For even more coverage, make sure to follow our staff on Twitter: @BRamseyKSR, @kylerstaley, @HSIndianaBball, and @KrisMills37.
Today, we roll on with introducing the top Mr. Basketball candidates in the Class of 2022. In total, we will outline who we believe to be the five primary candidates to win the coveted award. There is no rhyme or reason to the order in which the candidates are released, so don’t read too much into that. Last week we began this series by looking at Mr. Basketball candidate Braden Smith Braden Smith 6'0" | PG Westfield | 2022 State IN from Westfield High School and then announced Tayshawn Comer Tayshawn Comer 6'0" | PG Cathedral | 2022 State #226 Nation IN of Cathedral High School as our second candidate. The next candidate in our ongoing series is Wisconsin commit Connor Essegian Connor Essegian 6'4" | SG Central Noble | 2022 State #170 Nation IN of Central Noble High School.
A 6’4″ Shooting Guard, Essegian experienced a breakout junior season that led into an even bigger 3SSB Circuit earning him dozens of scholarship offers including some from high-major programs. Ultimately, the sharpshooter decided on the Wisconsin Badgers. Essegian is ranked as the #7 prospect in the Class of 2022 by Prep Hoops Indiana as one of the biggest stock risers in our most recent update. That momentum will continue to carry him into his senior where Central Noble is the preseason favorite in the Class 2A North.
Last season, Essegian scored 24 points per game along with 6.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.3 steals. He has scored 1705 points in his career putting him in a position surpass the 2000 point milestone and flirt with the top 15 in state history. There is no doubt that the Central Noble star will put up the statistics this season to be a worthy Mr. Basketball finalist. If he can lead the Cougars to Gainbridge Fieldhouse that will be another feather in the cap of his candidacy.
Playing at a smaller high school in the northern part of the state costs Essegian a little bit of name recognition with voters in the Indianapolis area and to the south. However, his strong showing with Indiana Elite over the summer and commitment to Wisconsin should quickly eliminate any questions of if he could still dominate at the highest levels. There is no doubt that Essegian is one of the best players in the state of Indiana and has one more season to put up gaudy statistics, make a run at the state championship, and earn a spot on the Mr. Basketball ballot.