23-Year-Old Former College Soccer Player Wins WPT Player of the Year Race

The World Poker Tour (WPT) has concluded its Season 23 competition, naming 23-year-old Harvey Castro as its Player of the Year. Castro, a former soccer player for Southern Methodist University, achieved this distinction through consistent performance throughout the season, culminating in significant victories and a strong points total.

Castro’s Path to the Top

Castro’s success was largely built on a second-place finish in the WPT Rolling Thunder Main Event, earning him $193,600. He further solidified his position by winning the WPT Prime Lodge Championship, adding $225,020 to his earnings. These results were key components of his overall performance.

Did You Know? Harvey Castro secured the Player of the Year title with 1,850 points and $411,320 in earnings throughout the 2025 tour.

Despite not winning a WPT Main Event title, Castro accumulated 1,850 points, surpassing Kharlin Sued, who won the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star in December for $480,700 and finished with 1,600 POY points. Schuyler Thornton, the winner of the WPT World Championship, secured third place in the POY race with 1,575 points and winnings totaling $2,298,516.

Season 23 Standings

The top ten players in the WPT Season 23 Player of the Year race demonstrated consistent skill and success throughout the tour. Mike Vanier, Art Peacock, Nico Betbese, Kevin Nee, Danny Wong, Soheb Porbandarwala, and Aaron Johnson also earned significant points and prize money.

Expert Insight: Castro’s victory highlights the increasing importance of consistent performance in modern poker tournaments. While a single major win can be impactful, accumulating points across multiple events is proving to be a viable path to overall success.

In addition to his WPT successes, Castro also achieved a runner-up finish in a $10,000 event at the PokerGO Cup, earning an additional $193,500.

Looking Ahead

WPT Season 24 is already underway, with the tour scheduled to visit Las Vegas in February for the WPT Venetian Las Vegas Spring Championship. Players are already preparing for the next Player of the Year race. WPT Global is currently offering weekly satellites guaranteeing packages to the $1 million guaranteed $1,100 WPT Prime Cyprus Championship, providing opportunities for players to qualify for future events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was named the WPT Season 23 Player of the Year?

Harvey Castro was named the WPT Season 23 Player of the Year.

How did Harvey Castro earn the Player of the Year title?

Castro earned the title through consistent performance, including a runner-up finish in the WPT Rolling Thunder Main Event and a win at the WPT Prime Lodge Championship.

Who finished second in the WPT Season 23 Player of the Year race?

Kharlin Sued finished second in the WPT Season 23 Player of the Year race.

As the WPT continues to evolve, what strategies do you think will become most important for players aiming for the Player of the Year title in future seasons?