Considered one of the top prospects in the world after amassing an undefeated high school record, Bassett has committed to wrestling for the Virginia Tech Hokies beginning in 2026.
He is currently signed to the Featherweight division of Real American Freestyle (RAF), where he is scheduled to debut at RAF 03.
Early life
Bowen William Bassett was born on January 5, 2007, in Windber, Pennsylvania, son of nurse Karissa (née Hamilton) and educator William Bassett.[1][2]
He grew up idolizing Spencer Lee, and cites him as his inspiration for taking up wrestling.[3] Bassett and Lee have trained together at the Young Guns Wrestling Club in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.[3]
We have an unbelievable room at Bishop McCort. We have eight guys ranked in the country. We joke that our wrestling room is called the "Shark Tank." Not everyone that comes into our room can handle it.[6]
—Bo Bassett
Bassett transferred to Bishop McCort High School, where his father was named head coach of their varsity wrestling team in 2021.[7] However, his father was issued a two-year ban from coaching that same year by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association after he violated state recruiting policies.[8] Bishop McCort was found to have improperly recruited Jax Forrest and other out-of-state students to build their wrestling program.[9] As part of sanctions against the school, Bishop McCort and its wrestlers were barred from competing for a state championship during Bassett's freshman season.[8]
Critics have attributed Bassett's success to reclassification, as he was held back a year in school, making him older and more physically mature than his competition.[15]
College career
Prior to his senior year of high school, Bassett committed to wrestling for the Virginia Tech Hokies beginning in 2026.[16] His adopted brother, Melvin Miller, has committed to joining the Hokies in 2027.[17][18] Their younger brother, Keegan Bassett, graduates in 2028 and has not yet committed to a college.[19]
Bassett originally announced that he would be joining the Iowa Hawkeyes, but later decommitted.[20] He also turned down a NIL sponsorship deal from Chael Sonnen worth $1 million.[21]
International career
Anthony Ashnault, who was defeated by Bassett in the 2024 US Last Chance Qualifier
Bassett at age 14 became the youngest world champion in history when he won a gold medal in freestyle at the 2021 World Cadets Wrestling Championships.[23][24] At the same event, he lost his opening round match of the Greco-Roman competition to Ruslan Lukiaev of Russia.[25]
He competed at the 2025 US World Team Trials in freestyle, defeating Beau Bartlett in a quarterfinal match before losing to Brock Hardy in the semifinals, and Marcus Blaze in a consolation semifinal.[30]
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