Bo Bassett: Wrestling Career, Family, Achievements, Goals and More

Bo Bassett, a rising star in the world of wrestling, embodies dedication, skill, and a relentless drive for success. From his early beginnings to his current achievements, Bo has carved out a path marked by determination and familial support. U20 champion Bo Bassett recently released his choice of colleges which includes Penn State, OSU, and Harvard.

But his love for wrestling was present from when he was born, given his father's love for the game and his family’s support. At Bo Bassett's age of 19, the Bishop McCort student also recently made the U20 World championship team. This is a promise that his career has only just taken off. Ahead of the matches in Spain, we look back at his roots.

Bo Bassett’s parents and siblings

Bo Bassett was born to parents Bill and Karissa Bassett. Bill used to be Bo’s high school coach and the couple were deeply involved in Bo’s career. Additionally, Bill Bassett is a respected figure in the Mankato community. He served as the city manager from 1968 to 1996. Bill even aided infrastructural and economic growth in the city. His exemplary work gained him the 2017 MCMA President's Award.

On the other hand, Karissa Bassett is a medical professional. She is a breast cancer nurse navigator at the Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. She is a good fit for the role, due to her own experience with the disease. Bo Bassett is one of three siblings. He is the eldest and has two brothers Keegan and Melvin Miller. All three of them are accomplished wrestlers. Keegan Bassett has won national titles in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling at the age of 12.

He was also named the most outstanding wrestler at the Pan Am Championships and won the U15 title for the two wrestling styles. Similarly, Melvin Miller has also been included in the PA Top 10 MS pound-for-pound list, highlighting his skill in wrestling. In the Bassett household, wrestling is a way of life.

Bo Bassett’s early life

According to reports, Bassett was born and raised in Windber, Pennsylvania. His wrestling journey began in his hometown. He won his first World Championship at just the age of 6. Apparently, he was “always thinking about wrestling” and other than the gym, “there was no place [he would] rather be.” He became a member of the Young Guns wrestling club as a seventh-grader at Bishop McCort Catholic in Pennsylvania. The close-knit relationship between Bassett and his father also really shaped his career and his love for wrestling.

Now at Bishop McCort High School, Bob Basset's grades are 4.0 GPA which he maintains alongside his professional wrestling pursuits. For two consecutive years, he also won the Humanitarian Award at Forest Hills. In the past, he has attended David Taylor’s wrestling camp to train with the legend. The Bishop McCort community was also a big support system for Bassett, despite the program’s ban in 2022-23. Bo Bassett has even praised his coaches saying he couldn't have gotten this far without them.

All about Bo Bassett’s wrestling career

As a student at Bishop McCort High School, Bassett came into prominence when he earned spots on both the Freestyle and Greco-Roman World teams in 2021. He also made history at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling championships when he tied the record for the most state titles, counting up to 8. Additionally, over the 3 days of the tournament, Bassett dominated his opponents, proving himself to be a formidable opponent. The arena was filled with supporters cheering “Crimson Crusher.”

Even on the international stage, Bassett has proven his worth. In the U20 US Opens, he won the freestyle title at 65 kgs by defeating Aden Valencia of California. This made him an invaluable part of the U20 US team competing in Pontevedra, Spain later in the World Championships this year. At the previous World Championships, he went a combined 9-0 and scored more than his competitors by 86-12.

He was also named Sports Illustrated Kids’ SportsKid of the Year, amongst LeBron James and Bryce Harper. At the age of 16, he even signed his first NIL deals with Ice Barrel. This is sure to boost his net worth. Though Bo Bassett’s Olympics plans aren't immediately clear, surely great things are yet to come for the young wrestler.

Major achievements of Bo Bassett

Bo Bassett won 8 Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling State Championship titles, a record previously held by Nico Cortese from Franklin Regional. He made the 2021 Cadet World Championship and earned gold in the 45kg freestyle event against Alikhan Ashinov of Russia.

In 2022, he was victorious in the Super 32 Championship. He also won the Ironman championship that year. He recently made the U20 team that will compete in the upcoming World Championships.