Carson High boys basketball
Carson High's Parsa Hadjighasemi (23) has had quite the career in the Senator uniform. Now, he's looking at making the jump to the collegiate level
Photo by Carter Eckl.
There’s a level of determination in Parsa Hadjighasemi’s game that is hard to match or find amongst his peers.
The Carson High senior has eclipsed records and career landmarks, but is still waiting on his perseverance to pay off.
For Hadjighasemi, playing at the collegiate level has always been a priority.
“I’ve personally always strived to be the highest level I can,” said Hadjighasemi. “A school isn’t going to offer you based off of five highlight clips. They’re going to want to see you defend and rebound.”
For basketball players, their junior season can be the make-or-break mark of earning a spot on a collegiate team.
However, Hadjighasemi didn’t have a junior season due to COVID-19 as the state of Nevada being one of two states across the U.S. to cancel the 2020-21 winter sports season.
Even still, Hadjighasemi broke the 1,000-point career scoring mark and tied a 27-year-old Carson High record for 3-pointers made in a game with eight.
“It was a goal of mine since freshman year. I’m really blessed to have a coach and teammates behind me … I’m not scoring 1,000 points if they’re not giving me the ball, especially the way I play,” said Hadjighasemi. “Credit really goes to my teammates for getting me the ball and setting screens.”
In the offseason, he’s continued to get his name out through various travel basketball teams in-between seasons, including on the Nike circuit with Vegas Elite, Prolific Prep, West Coast Elite and Oregon Prospects.
Those trips required Hadjighasemi to hop on a plane by himself to make it out to a number of showcases across the United States.
“It’s tiring, honestly. It gives you more of a college feel cause you’re getting off a plane and going to play,” said Hadjighasemi. “I really loved it. It was a grind for sure. Every game I saw every single West Coast school.”
The spot-up shooter has made his living from behind the arc and has continued to craft his game as a shooting guard.
How he got started
Hadjighasemi first started playing basketball in fourth grade.
His shot developed quickly and his love of the game promptly followed.
“My sixth-grade year I made the eighth grade team at my middle school,” said Hadjighasemi. “That was my first memory of basketball. … If my brain is occupied, shooting helps me cope with a bunch of stuff because it can take my mind somewhere else. It’s a cure to so many different things.”
The 6-foot-4 combo guard had coaches’ eyes right away, earning a spot on Carson High’s varsity squad as a freshman under head coach Jordan Glover.
“He’s the reason why I am here right now,” said Hadjighasemi of Glover. “He does not get the recognition he deserves. … The support that I’ve had in Carson, I don’t think I would be in this position at any other school I could have gone too.”
In his first campaign, Hadjighasemi led the team with an average of 13.7 points per game in 21 contests.
As a sophomore, Hadjighasemi kept his scoring average consistent, but pulled down an average of four rebounds a game along with two steals per contest.
He ended his second year in a Senator uniform with a second team all-region selection.
In the classroom, Hadjighasemi sports a 4.8 grade point average.
(Parsa Hadjighasemi puts up a 3-pointer against Galena, in which the senior shooting guard tied a Carson High record for 3-pointers in a game, dating back to 1995. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal)
Inspiration
Parsa’s parents have had the biggest influence on his work ethic.
Frazier and Afsaneh Hadjighasemi both immigrated to the United States from Iran after they graduated from high school.
“They both immigrated by themselves. My dad came here with no money and barely knew the language,” said Hadjighasemi. “A lot of people don’t understand how hard it is to come into a country like that by yourself.”
Frazier put himself through college and now owns his own business, a sandwich shop in Carson City – U.S. Sub Base.
“I’m really blessed for him to have done that for me, so my life isn’t as hard,” said Hadjighasemi, “but at the same time, it motivates me to work just as hard in a different aspect.”
As an only child, Parsa has had to fuel his own fire at times.
Traveling alone to basketball showcases, as young as 15 years old, forced Hadjighasemi to mature quickly.
Tack on a pandemic, and Hadjighasemi can’t believe he’s down to potentially his final week of high school hoops.
“They always preach nothing in life comes easy,” said Hadjighasemi. “My dad has given me lessons every day.”
Making the final strides
Hadjighasemi has turned his training into a part-time job.
During the season, Hadjighasemi spends 20 or more hours a week getting shots up and working with his team.
In the offseason, he said he spends upward of four hours or more daily between workouts, shooting or other dribbling and technique-driven exercises.
His rapport with the high school administration has allowed him to spend more time in his gym.
The drive is all for the payoff of playing in college.
“Just trying to play at the highest level I can,” said Hadjighasemi. “Honestly, just trying to be ready for whatever next year brings.”
Wherever that decision or opportunity lies, the Senator senior wants to contribute.
Hadjighasemi is still on the recruiting trail but is trying to not let the process weigh on him too heavily.
“Recruiting has been stressful, especially not having a junior year. In my opinion, that’s the most important year,” said Hadjighasemi. “But I know plenty of people will sign in June or August.”
There are plenty of significant moments in his high school career, but topping Douglas in overtime as a sophomore to make the postseason currently holds the crown.
Though his final season with the Senators may end earlier than he wanted, Hadjighasemi is hoping he can find as good of a fit at his next school.
“I want to go somewhere I’ll play, but I wouldn’t mind staying in a program and developing,” said Hadjighasemi. “It honestly just depends on the right fit, but I know with my work ethic by the time I’m a junior, I think I’ll be in the right place and representing the school that I’m at.”
