Jax Forrest, Dreshaun Ross, Jayden James, and now, Bo Bassett of Bishop McCort. Bassett’s remarkable 111-0 high school wrestling record has cemented his place at the top. His undefeated season and gold medal win at the Cadet World Championships set the stage for a lucrative future. Then, Bassett’s recent commitment to Iowa has generated massive excitement, with his NIL deal speculated to be worth $5 million! But, he has clarified that the online figures are not entirely accurate. His incredible performance and marketability make him a prime example of the potential for athletes to build their value early on.
By choosing Iowa, Bassett is proving that wrestlers can leverage their success for big returns. Bassett’s decision shows how high school wrestlers can set themselves up for financial success through strategic deals. His journey is a blueprint for future athletes who aim to maximize their value and build their brand.
His rise to prominence has redefined the landscape for wrestlers navigating the world of NIL. As Justin Basch rightly pointed out, “Bo is definitely up there. He’s done a great job building value, and one of the biggest value points is his reach.” With nearly 200k followers on Instagram alone, Bassett is not just a wrestling prodigy. He’s a powerful brand, and the social media following proves his real market value. One of the most valuable athletes, even before stepping foot on a college mat.
Bo is definitely up there. He’s done a great job building value, and one of the biggest value points is his reach.
NIL isn’t just about a brand using an athlete’s name, image, and likeness; it’s about leveraging their audience.
Bo’s pushing nearly 200k followers on IG alone.… https://t.co/qWqDq64WkU
— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) April 2, 2025
“But I can tell you that, obviously, NIL is a piece of it,” Bassett shared with FloWrestling, acknowledging the role NIL plays in his career. However, his primary focus remains on wrestling. Despite the lucrative offers he’s receiving, Bassett remains grounded, prioritizing his athletic goals over the financial rewards. As he prepares for college wrestling, his NIL value continues to skyrocket, making him a prime example of how athletes can balance both career success and marketability.
While his social media game is strong, he knows that generally, wrestlers still face a long road to mainstream recognition. “I do wish it was true. Of course, I’m not like a quarterback. As much as I want wrestling to be like football and valued like football, we have a lot of work to do,” he said. Despite this, Bassett remains determined to pave the way for future wrestlers, helping them gain the recognition and financial rewards they deserve.
A thoughtful decision led to big opportunities in wrestling
Bo Bassett’s recruiting journey has been a long and thoughtful process, with nearly nine months of careful deliberation before finally committing to Iowa in February 2025. As the 2021 U17 World Champion, Bassett took his time exploring top programs like Penn State, Oklahoma State, and Virginia Tech, ensuring that each visit helped him sharpen his focus on what he truly wanted. With this meticulous approach, it’s clear that Iowa checked all the boxes, making it the right fit for his future.
The decision came shortly after Bassett’s high school team, Bishop McCort, won its first dual meet at the PIAA Team Championships, adding an extra layer of significance to his choice. His commitment to Iowa highlights his trust in the program’s legacy and the bond he’s built with the visionary coaching staff. Now, as he transitions to college wrestling, the expectations and opportunities will only continue to grow for the young phenom.
Known for his unwavering dedication, Bassett isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Though his time with Bishop McCort may be over, he’s already back to training hard, sharing snippets of his latest sessions on Instagram. With a mindset focused on relentless improvement, Bassett captioned his post, “Champions don’t do extraordinary things. They do ordinary things better than everyone else. #MachineGunMindset.” Bo Bassett is ready to rise to the challenges ahead, sharpening his skills for the next phase of his wrestling journey.
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