Keegan Bassett, younger brother of star wrestling recruit Bo, wins U17 World Title at 45 KG

Keegan Bassett, the younger brother of much heralded 2026 wrestling recruit Bo Bassett, won gold at the U17 World Championships Sunday. He took home the title at the 45 KG weight class (99 pounds) by pinning Iran’s Parsa Tahmasbi.

Bassett won four matches en route to the title, which was highlighted by his pin in the finals. He got the stick with 2:17 remaining in the match after using overhooks to initiate the sequence.

Bassett defended a shot with a nice sprawl and went from there. You can see the finishing sequence below.

Massive moment for Keegan Bassett. Stock just went way up! 📈📈 pic.twitter.com/Lpm609I274

— Nick Kosko (@nickkosko59) August 3, 2025

Keegan Bassett is ranked No. 3 at 106 pounds according to the latest high school rankings from MatScouts. He heads into his sophomore season in 2025-26 at Bishop McCort (Pa.) while older brother Bo goes into his senior campaign. Bo recently decommitted from Iowa going into the summer and was recently the No. 1 pound for pound prospect in the country.

Bo Bassett’s high school teammate Jax Forrest, who is committed to Oklahoma State and just recently made the Senior World Team at 61 KG, is now No. 1 overall. Keegan Bassett’s phone will be ringing off the hook likely by next summer when he gets ready for his junior year of high school.

Bo’s recruitment was much followed as he gave nearly every Division 1 school a chance in the beginning, before cutting down to a final four of wrestling powers. But now that Iowa is off the list, and reportedly down to Penn State, Oklahoma State and Nebraska, Bo Bassett could actually determine where he and his brothers end up in college.

Keegan Bassett as well as Melvin Miller, the brother’s adopted brother, are likely a package deal as a trio to whichever school lands Bo. Miller is currently No. 4 pound for pound in the country and the top ranked prospect in the Class of 2027. Keegan is a Class of 2028 prospect.

Bo Bassett visited Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Penn State and Rutgers throughout his process this past year. Currently, his high school teammates Sam Herring (Penn State), Devon Magro (Rutgers) and Forrest (Oklahoma State) are committed to some of those respective schools.

Nebraska made waves this offseason by landing 2021 NCAA champion AJ Ferrari in the transfer portal following a 2nd place team finish at NCAAs. Bassett would fit in nicely in the middle of the Huskers lineup in 2026-27.