Bo Bassett, the teenage wrestling phenom, is already taking the world by storm. Earlier this year, the U.S. wrestling prodigy stormed into the U20 World Championships semifinals, solidifying his place as one to watch. But his rise to stardom isn’t just about natural talent—it’s a testament to the love, guidance, and legacy of his family. At the heart of it all are his parents, Bill and Karissa, and the lasting impact of his grandfather, the legendary “Wild” Bill Bassett. Together, they’ve woven a story of passion and perseverance, nurturing Bo’s journey from a bright-eyed beginner to a global contender.

Growing up in Windber, Pennsylvania, Bo was surrounded by wrestling from the start. His father, Bill, served as his high school coach and played a pivotal role in shaping his career. From guiding Bo to victory at the Cadet World Freestyle Championship to offering unwavering support at every turn, Bill’s influence has been undeniable. Yet, the story doesn’t stop there. There was someone else who played a big role in kickstarting Bo Bassett’s wrestling journey, but sadly, they passed away when he was really young. Now, Bo has something super special to honor their memory and everything they meant to him.

On a recent episode of Wrestling Changed My Life, o opened up about his tattoos and the powerful stories behind them. For Bo, the ink was more than just a cool addition; it was a reward for hard work. “It was gonna be after (the World Championships). I was like, you know, when we get a medal, then we can get the ink. So we got the medal, bronze medal, and I was like, all right, let’s do it.” The design he chose wasn’t random; it was something he’d been thinking about for a while. “I wanted to get something that means something, and this one does for sure.”

The tattoo is a meaningful mix—a cross, a lion, and a blue eye. Bo explained, “This one though, this is a cross—Jesus, the crosses—and then a lion as well. That one’s just my faith, and it means a lot to me as far as that goes.” But the blue eye? That carries a deeply personal story connected to his paternal family member. Bo shared that the member “was a big supporter of me when I was younger. He was a big part of my wrestling career when I was like around six years old. He passed away, right? And so I started wrestling at six years old, and he was at every tournament, like probably the first five tournaments I ever wrestled. He was there, right? He was at our house for every football Sunday to watch the Steelers. He was the man.” Could it be his grandfather, “Wild” Bill Bassett?

The legendary patriarch of the Bassett wrestling legacy certainly left a lasting impression. “Wild” Bill, who was both Bill’s father and Bo’s grandfather, was there to see Bo’s earliest steps into the sport. “My dad was a huge influence,” Bill Bassett shared in 2021. “He was around to watch Bo his first two years. Bo was really tight with him before he passed away.”

“Wild” Bill passed away in 2013, but his memory clearly lives on in the family. Whether the tattoo’s blue eye is a tribute to him or someone else, one thing’s for sure: Bo’s ink carries the weight of his family’s love, support, and legacy. When this beloved family member passed away, Bo was just starting his wrestling journey, leaving him with bittersweet feelings about how much he missed them.

“He never really got to see what my wrestling career could, could have come to and, and where we’re the places we’ve been,” Bo said. “But I know he’s got a front-row seat now.” The tattoo is more than ink—it’s a tribute to his faith, his family, and the people who have shaped his journey. Bo Bassett hit the mats at just six years old, and let’s just say, he’s been stealing the spotlight ever since. From the get-go, wrestling fans and scouts couldn’t help but notice his raw talent and unshakable drive.

Fast forward to today, Bo’s the #1 recruit for the 2026 season, a headline-maker, and yep, the head coach at Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown. But hold up—there’s more to this tale. Turns out, Bo’s spark was noticed way back in those early wrestling days by someone incredibly special.

Bo Bassett’s spark gets recognized!

You heard it right! Long before the world caught wind of Bo Bassett’s wrestling magic, there was one man who spotted that spark—Jody Strittmatter. A wrestling legend in his own right, Jody is a two-time NCAA All-American and national champion from the University of Iowa. He’s mentored giants like Spencer Lee and Jason Nolf, both three-time NCAA champions, yet even among such elite company, Jody saw something extra special in Bo. “He’s special. I mean, when you know, you know,” Jody reminisced, reflecting on those early days when Bo’s journey was just beginning. And hey, coming from a coach of his stature, that’s no small praise!

But Jody hasn’t just been a coach; he’s been a guiding light, watching Bo grow from a wide-eyed little kid to a bona fide wrestling phenom. “I’ve seen him since he was a baby, whether he was the water boy for his dad or just a young kid sitting in the corner while the older kids worked out,” Jody shared. “He was too young to even work out at five or six, but you could just tell from a young age.” 

Bo’s early exposure to wrestling wasn’t just a front-row seat; it was the spark that ignited a lifelong passion. “His attention to detail, even as a kid, was remarkable. He looked up to those older kids and soaked up everything like a sponge,” Jody said. It wasn’t just talent that set Bo apart—it was his hunger to learn and his work ethic that catapulted him to the top of his class.