Two-Time All-American Hamiti Enters Transfer Portal

The 2023-24 regular season officially ended on Saturday night and less than two days later, “Portal Season” has ramped up to full speed. The portal received a high-profile addition as two-time All-American Dean Hamiti Jr’s name was entered. Next to his name is a “Do Not Contact” distinction. That means coaches from other teams aren’t able to initiate contact with Hamiti Jr. and likely means that he has an idea of a school (or schools) that he’s interested in. 

Hamiti Jr. just finished his third year competing for the Wisconsin Badgers. In each of his first two seasons, Hamiti Jr. placed sixth at the NCAA Championships. This year, he came up a match shy, losing to Oklahoma State’s Izzak Olejnik 9-6, in sudden victory, in the bloodround at 165 lbs. 

Hamiti Jr. went 28-4 during his junior campaign in 2023-24 and finished as a Big Ten runner-up to Mitchell Mesenbrink in one of the most entertaining bouts of the year. Last season, he won a Big Ten title. 

Through three years at Wisconsin, Hamiti Jr. amassed an 81-14 record and has earned bonus points in just under 70% of his matches. Hamiti Jr. has been seeded in the top-five at his three NCAA Tournaments and has been top-three at the Big Ten Championships each season. 

Hamiti Jr. has spent the first three years of his career at 165 lbs; however, he did take a brief foray into the 174 lb weight class this season. After a loss to Olejnik in the 2023 All-Star Classic, Hamiti Jr. wrestled in three bouts at 174, before moving back to his customary weight class. There could be a possibility that he’ll move up to 174 for good next season. 

We’ll be monitoring Hamiti Jr.’s situation, as well as others in the portal. Buckle up!