UW Badgers
University of Wisconsin
June 12 2023
Men's Basketball June 12, 2023
MADISON, Wis. — Connor Essegian earned the opportunity to play the game he loves and represent his heritage, as the Wisconsin sophomore recently accepted an invitation to play basketball for the Armenian National Team in two upcoming games against France.
Essegian will be making his debut for Armenia in the "Armenian Basketball Classic," an event that will take place June 16-17 and have Armenia facing France – ranked No. 5 globally – in back-to-back games. Both games will be played in California at Premier America Credit Union Arena on the campus of California State University, Northridge. It will mark the first-ever Armenian basketball games to be played in the United States.
Building on its momentum after winning gold at the 2022 European Championship for Small Countries, Armenia begins its journey to qualify for the FIBA World Cup.
Essegian reported for training camp in Glendale, California, which runs Monday through Thursday.
"I'm really excited to have the opportunity to play the game that I love, while also representing Armenia and my family in the process," Essegian said. "My father's side is Armenian and I believe one of my relatives, Chuck Essegian, was the first Armenian player in Major League Baseball, so I'm excited to add to that history through the game of basketball. I'm also excited to represent Wisconsin on an international level of competition. I plan to use this opportunity to challenge myself against professional-level players, while also better preparing for this upcoming season."
Connor's father is 50 percent Armenian, and Connor's grandfather is 100 percent Armenian. The cousin of Connor's grandfather, Chuck Essegian, is the first Armenian to play in Major League Baseball. Chuck Essegian played baseball and football at Stanford University, competing in the 1951 Rose Bowl, before going on to play in MLB for six seasons (1958-63) where he played in the 1959 World Series with the Dodgers. Chuck Essegian set a World Series record with two pinch-hit home runs, and became just the second player to play in both the Rose Bowl and World Series.
Essegian burst onto the scene in his first season at Wisconsin, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors and showcasing himself as one of the best sharp shooters in the country. Essegian played in all 35 games for the Badgers, starting the final 19 games and averaging 11.7 points per game on the season. The Fort Wayne, Indiana native became just the fifth Badger over the last 25 years to average double figures in their freshman season, joining Brad Davison (2017-18), Ethan Happ (2015-16), Alando Tucker (2002-03) and Devin Harris (2001-02). With 69 made 3-pointers on the season, Essegian broke the school record for most made 3-point field goals by a freshman.
"Any time one of our athletes gets to play on an international stage and represent their heritage it is an awesome opportunity," Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard said. "We've had several players over the years use this experience as a springboard into the next season, and I know that Connor will go in with his eyes and ears wide open to squeeze everything out of this opportunity that he can. I'm excited to follow him as he competes."
For updates on Connor Essegian and the Armenian National Team, follow @BadgerMBB on social media and visit UWBadgers.com.
Essegian will be making his debut for Armenia in the "Armenian Basketball Classic," an event that will take place June 16-17 and have Armenia facing France – ranked No. 5 globally – in back-to-back games. Both games will be played in California at Premier America Credit Union Arena on the campus of California State University, Northridge. It will mark the first-ever Armenian basketball games to be played in the United States.
Building on its momentum after winning gold at the 2022 European Championship for Small Countries, Armenia begins its journey to qualify for the FIBA World Cup.
Essegian reported for training camp in Glendale, California, which runs Monday through Thursday.
"I'm really excited to have the opportunity to play the game that I love, while also representing Armenia and my family in the process," Essegian said. "My father's side is Armenian and I believe one of my relatives, Chuck Essegian, was the first Armenian player in Major League Baseball, so I'm excited to add to that history through the game of basketball. I'm also excited to represent Wisconsin on an international level of competition. I plan to use this opportunity to challenge myself against professional-level players, while also better preparing for this upcoming season."
Connor's father is 50 percent Armenian, and Connor's grandfather is 100 percent Armenian. The cousin of Connor's grandfather, Chuck Essegian, is the first Armenian to play in Major League Baseball. Chuck Essegian played baseball and football at Stanford University, competing in the 1951 Rose Bowl, before going on to play in MLB for six seasons (1958-63) where he played in the 1959 World Series with the Dodgers. Chuck Essegian set a World Series record with two pinch-hit home runs, and became just the second player to play in both the Rose Bowl and World Series.
Essegian burst onto the scene in his first season at Wisconsin, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors and showcasing himself as one of the best sharp shooters in the country. Essegian played in all 35 games for the Badgers, starting the final 19 games and averaging 11.7 points per game on the season. The Fort Wayne, Indiana native became just the fifth Badger over the last 25 years to average double figures in their freshman season, joining Brad Davison (2017-18), Ethan Happ (2015-16), Alando Tucker (2002-03) and Devin Harris (2001-02). With 69 made 3-pointers on the season, Essegian broke the school record for most made 3-point field goals by a freshman.
"Any time one of our athletes gets to play on an international stage and represent their heritage it is an awesome opportunity," Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard said. "We've had several players over the years use this experience as a springboard into the next season, and I know that Connor will go in with his eyes and ears wide open to squeeze everything out of this opportunity that he can. I'm excited to follow him as he competes."
For updates on Connor Essegian and the Armenian National Team, follow @BadgerMBB on social media and visit UWBadgers.com.