The event to launch a local foundation started out with a tweet, a power Connor Essegian still is getting used to.
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Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian celebrates with fans after hitting a 3-pointer during the first half of the Badgers' 63-60 win over Minnesota last season at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian reacts after hitting a shot against Stanford during the Brew City Battle at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Traci Pine poses with Wisconsin men's basketball guard Connor Essegian at Essegian's CE3v3 3-on-3 tournament.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots against Western Michigan during their game last season at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian yells after hitting a 3-pointer against Northwestern during their game last season at the Kohl Center.
Photos: Freshman Connor Essegian is off to a strong start for Wisconsin
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian scores in the first half of the Badgers' exhibition game against UW-Eau Claire on Oct. 30, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian defends UW-Eau Claire's Michael Casper in the second half of the Badgers' exhibition game on Oct. 30, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian is defended by UW-Eau Claire's Carter Huschka in the second half of the Badgers' exhibition game on Oct. 30, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian is defended by UW-Eau Claire's Zander Williams, right, in the second half of the Badgers' exhibition game on Oct. 30, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian drives past the defense of South Dakota Coyotes guard A.J. Plitzuweit during the second half of the Badgers' 85-59 season-opening win on Nov. 7, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian reacts after hitting a shot during the first half of the Badgers' 60-50 win over Stanford in the Brew City Battle on Nov. 11, 2022, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots a 3-pointer in the second half of the Badgers' 60-50 win over Stanford in the Brew City Battle on Nov. 11, 2022, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian celebrates after making a 3-pointer in the second half of the Badgers' 60-50 win over Stanford in the Brew City Battle on Nov. 11, 2022, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian drives toward the baseline as Stanford forward Harrison Ingram defends during the second half of the Badgers' 60-50 win over Stanford in the Brew City Battle on Nov. 11, 2022, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian attempts to save the ball during the second half of the Badgers' 60-50 win over Stanford in the Brew City Battle on Nov. 11, 2022, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian looks for an opening against UW-Green Bay guard Zae Blake during the first half of the Badgers' 56-45 win over the Phoenix on Nov. 15, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard speaks to guard Connor Essegian as they wait for the referees to make a call in the first half of the Badgers' 78-75 loss to Wake Forest on Nov. 29, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wake Forest guard Damari Monsanto high-fives Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian after an entanglement between the two in the first half of the Badgers' 78-75 loss to the Demon Deacons on Nov. 29, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian, left, helps guard Chucky Hepburn up at the end of the Badgers' 78-75 loss to Wake Forest on Nov. 29, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin's Connor Essegian and Marquette's Tyler Kolek go after a loose ball during the second half of the Badgers' 80-77 overtime victory against the rival Golden Eagles on Dec. 3, 2022, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
From left, Wisconsin's Carter Gilmore, Chucky Hepburn, Connor Essegian and forward Tyler Wahl defend against Maryland in the second half of the Badgers' 64-59 upset of the 13th-ranked Terrapins on Dec. 6, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guards Connor Essegian, left, and Jordan Davis walk onto the court in the second half of the Badgers' 64-59 upset of the 13th-ranked Terrapins on Dec. 5, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Iowa guard Connor McCaffery fights for a rebound with Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian during the first half of the Badgers' 78-75 overtime victory against the Hawkeyes on Dec. 11, 2022, in Iowa City.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots a 3-pointer over Lehigh forward Dominic Parolin during the second half of the Badgers' 78-56 win over the Mountain Hawks on Dec. 15, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian reacts after hitting a 3-pointer in the second half of the Badgers' 78-56 win over the Mountain Hawks on Dec. 15, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian drives the lane during the second half of the Badgers' 78-56 win over the Mountain Hawks on Dec. 15, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers guard Connor Essegian (3) shoots the ball against Western Michigan Broncos guard Seth Hubbard (12) in the second half of the game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots against Western Michigan guard JaVaughn Hannah during the second half of the Badgers' 76-66 win over the Broncos on Dec. 30, 2022, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian, left, celebrates with fans and teammates forward Carter Gilmore, center, and guard Max Klesmit after hitting a 3-pointer during the first half of the Badgers' 63-60 win over Minnesota on Jan. 3 at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian drives to the basket against Minnesota guard Ta'lon Cooper during the second half of the Badgers' 63-60 win over Golden Gophers on Jan. 3, 2023, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian celebrates with teammates after the Badgers' 63-60 win over Minnesota on Jan. 3, 2023, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian looks to pass the ball against Michigan State forward Malik Hall during the first half of the Badgers' 69-65 loss to the Spartans on Jan. 10, 2023, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore, rear, and guard Connor Essegian attempt to block a shot by Michigan State guard Tyson Walker during the first half of the Badgers' 69-65 loss to the Spartans on Jan. 10, 2023, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian passes the ball against Michigan State guard Jaden Akins during the second half of the Badgers' 69-65 loss to the Spartans on Jan. 10, 2023, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin's Max Klesmit, from left, Chucky Hepburn, Connor Essegian and Steven Crowl run back to play defense during the second half of the Badgers' 69-65 loss to the Spartans on Jan. 10, 2023, at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian sticks his tongue out after making a 3-pointer in the second half of the Badgers' 63-60 win over Penn State on Jan. 17, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished with 10 points in the win.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian celebrates after the Badgers defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 63-60 on Jan. 17, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished with 10 points and three rebounds in the win.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots against the Illinois defense in the first half of the Badgers' 61-51 loss to the Illini on Jan. 28, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished the game with three points after going 0 of 5 from the field.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots against the Illinois defense in the first half of the Badgers' 61-51 loss to the Illini on Jan. 28, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished the game with three points after going 0 of 5 from the field.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian talks with head coach Greg Gard on the bench in the second half of the Badgers' 61-51 loss to the Illini on Jan. 28, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished the game with three points after going 0 of 5 from the field.
Wisconsin guards Connor Essegian, left, and Ross Candelino take the court before the Badgers' game against Northwestern on Feb. 5, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. The Badgers fell to the Wildcats 54-52, with Essegian finishing with 15 points and four rebounds.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian yells after hitting a 3-pointer in the second half of the Badgers' 54-52 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats on Feb. 5, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished with 15 points after going 5 of 11 from behind the arc.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian passes the ball to forward Steven Crowl during the second half of the Badgers' 54-52 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats on Feb. 5, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished with 15 points, four rebounds and an assist.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian celebrates in the first half of the Badgers' 54-52 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats on Feb. 5, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian drives to the basket against the Michigan defense in the second half of the Badgers' 64-59 win over the Wolverines on Feb. 14, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian set a new career-high in the win with 23 points.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots a technical foul in the second half of the Badgers' 64-59 win over the Wolverines on Feb. 14, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian went 9 of 10 from the free throw line while setting a new career-high in the win with 23 points.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots over Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin in the second half of the Badgers' 64-59 win over the Wolverines on Feb. 14, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian set a new career-high in the win with 23 points despite shooting 2 of 7 from 3-point range.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots against Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi during the second half of the Badgers' 58-57 loss to the Scarlet Knights on Feb. 18 at the Kohl Center. Essegian finished the game with two points on 0-for-10 shooting from the field.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian goes in for a layup against Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi during the second half of the Badgers' 58-57 loss to the Scarlet Knights on Feb. 18, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished the game with two points on 0-for-10 shooting from the field.
Iowa forward Kris Murray, left, and guard Ahron Ulis attempt to block a shot by Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian during in the second half of the Badgers' 64-52 win over the Hawkeyes on Feb. 22, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian bounced back from a poor shooting performance in UW's loss to Rutgers four days earlier by scoring a game-high 17 points in the win.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian reacts after hitting a 3-pointer during in the second half of the Badgers' 64-52 win over the Hawkeyes on Feb. 22, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian bounced back from a poor shooting performance in UW's loss to Rutgers four days earlier by scoring a game-high 17 points in the win.
Michigan guard Dug McDaniel knocks the ball from Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian in the first half of the Badgers' 87-79 overtime loss to the Wolverines on Feb. 26, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Despite shooting 1 of 8 from 3-point range in the loss, Essegian set a new career high with 24 points by going 9 of 13 from inside the arc and 3 of 3 at the free throw line.
Michigan forward Tarris Reed Jr. shoots on Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian in the second half of the Badgers' 87-79 overtime loss to the Wolverines on Feb. 26, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Essegian, who set a new career high with 24 points, struggled with foul trouble in the loss, finishing with four fouls in 37 minutes.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian drives to the basket in the second half of the Badgers' 63-61 loss to No. 5 Purdue on March 2, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished with eight points and two rebounds as UW wrapped up its home schedule.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian goes up for a shot over Minnesota forward Joshua Ola-Joseph during the second half of the Badgers' 71-67 win over the Gophers in their regular-season finale on March 5, 2023, in Minneapolis. Essegian scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds as UW finished the regular season with a 17-13 record, including a 9-11 mark in Big Ten play.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian drives to the basket past Ohio State guard Eugene Brown III during the second half of the Buckeyes' 65-57 win over the Badgers in the Big Ten tournament on March 8, 2023, in Chicago. Essegian scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds as UW was eliminated in the opening round of the conference tournament.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots over Bradley guard Connor Hickman during the second half of the Badgers' 81-62 win over the Braves in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament on March 14, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Despite shooting 2 of 11 from the field, Essegian posted a personal postseason best 14 points after hitting all nine of his free throw attempts.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian averaged 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds a game during his freshman season as he worked his way from the Badgers' bench into the starting lineup.
The University of Wisconsin men's basketball team has turned to sharpshooting guard Connor Essegian to provide an offensive boost. Check out t…
The University of Wisconsin men's basketball team has turned to sharpshooting guard Connor Essegian to provide an offensive boost. Check out t…
