# @randysilvertv on YouTube

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://youtube.com/watch?v=hj-utu7G8V0
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/71327435-randysilvertv-youtube
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/72a192f168.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-10-08T15:00:20.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Randy Silver (@randysilvertv) — https://gondola.cc/randysilvertv

## Caption

Connor Essegian is back on the court for Nebraska, and the fifth-year guard is entering his final season with a different perspective after injury cut short his 2025-26 campaign.

@ConnorEssegian_ played in Nebraska’s first seven games last season before suffering a season-ending right ankle injury in the second half against Winthrop on Nov. 25. He averaged 5.4 points per game and made eight 3-pointers before the injury, which forced him to watch as the Huskers reached the Sweet 16.

The former Wisconsin transfer said he was fully cleared shortly before summer workouts and has practiced without restrictions since. He is currently wearing a boot outside of practice because of toe soreness in his other foot, but said X-rays showed no break and he does not expect to miss time.

“I’m seriously just having so much fun practicing and being with the guys on the floor this time,” Essegian said. “Excitement is an understatement.”

Essegian used the extended recovery period to add strength in the weight room while also learning from the sideline. He said the injury was the first time he had missed a game because of injury and changed how he views his opportunity to play.

“It really showed me how quick the game can actually be taken away from us,” Essegian said.

Nebraska knows what Essegian can provide when healthy. During his first season with the Huskers in 2024-25, he appeared in all 35 games and averaged 10.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game as Nebraska’s sixth man. He made 78 3-pointers — the sixth-highest single-season total in program history and the most by a Husker since 2018-19 — while averaging 2.2 made threes per game.

Essegian reached double figures 17 times that season, including five 20-point performances. He averaged 13.3 points on 53% shooting during Nebraska’s 4-0 run to the College Basketball Crown title and scored a career-high 29 points against South Dakota.

Now, Essegian returns to a Nebraska roster coming off a 28-win season and the program’s first Sweet 16 appearance. The Huskers have established scorers in senior Pryce Sandfort and junior Braden Frager, plus a projected starting point guard in Utah Valley transfer Trevan Leonhardt.

Coach Fred Hoiberg said Essegian’s shooting remains a valuable part of the offense, but pointed to his creativity and feel within the system as an equally important trait.

“The other thing Connor does such a good job of, he’s the best we have on our team at it,” Hoiberg said. “A lot of it is creativity and being random with your options on the offensive end of the floor.”
Essegian said watching Sandfort last season helped him better understand how to create within Nebraska’s spacing principles. Hoiberg also believes the added strength from recovery should make Essegian a more consistent defender.

For Essegian, the goal is not simply to return to his previous role. He said he wants to make winning plays in whatever capacity Nebraska needs.

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## Stats

- **Views:** 410
- **Likes:** 2
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 0

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Randy Silver | @randysilvertv | https://gondola.cc/randysilvertv | Reporter/Journalist |

## Tags

fredhoiberg, nebraska, cornhuskers, nebraskabasketball, huskersmbb, huskers

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