Podcast Episodes

Jayden James on Becoming a U17 World Champ & What’s Next

Published August 8th, 2025 by Justin Basch

Fresh off winning the U17 World Championship, Jayden James joins the BASCHAMANIA Podcast to break down his incredible run in Turkey. We talk semifinal and finals moments, training with Khaled Dassan, balancing club and high school coaching, and his dominant 43-0 high school season. Jayden also opens up about flipping his commitment from Virginia Tech to Penn State, reuniting with Duke and Welsh in Happy Valley, and being part of the loaded Class of 2026. From goals for next year to the mindset behind staying hungry, this conversation gives an inside look at one of wrestling’s brightest young stars.

0:00 - Intro
01:20 - Cadet World Team Race, Winning as a Team
02:40 - Semifinals Celebration & Finals Win
05:25 - Relationship with KD (Khaled Dassan)
06:45 - The Growth of KD TC
07:20 - Balancing Club Coach & High School Coach
08:10 - High School Success
10:20 - Jersey Wrestling
11:45 - Goals of Next Year
12:30 - What’s on Radar
13:50 - Staying in Love With The Sport
15:30 - U20 World Experience
16:15 - Flipping Commitment to Penn State
18:20 - Reuniting with Duke & Welsh at PSU
19:15 - Excitement about Becoming a Nittany Lion
20:20 - Developing a High Wrestling IQ CLIP
21:05 - Being A Part of the Talented Big Board Class
23:45 - Future Development at Penn State
24:45 - Fan Q&A

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Jayden James on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaydenxjames_/