Negreanu: The WSOP Main Event champion will be around for a long time

Poker Hall of Fame member Daniel Negreanu does not think WSOP Main Event champion Lucas Jumalon will be a flash in the pan. The young pro from Spokane, Washington, won the $10 million prize a few months ago, becoming the second-youngest world champion in history.

Negreanu spoke on the PokerNews Podcast. His approaching fatherhood and the WSOP Player of the Year race were also among the topics discussed. In the past, many Main Event champions took the money and stepped away, or never again had a major victory. Negreanu believes Jumalon will not follow that path.

Negreanu also highlighted the young player's character. Noting that Jumalon has messaged him, Negreanu described him as mature well beyond his years and extremely respectful toward his own generation. The two met on Nick Schulman's new Sirius/XM radio show. Negreanu called Jumalon a "breath of fresh air" who treats people and the game with the utmost respect.

He was also positive about his playing style. Saying that Jumalon knows theory but focuses on doing what makes sense against each opponent, Negreanu added that the champion is knowingly turning his own image into an advantage. "This guy looks like someone who wants the role and wants to do big things. I think he'll be around for a long time," he said.

Before the $10 million, Jumalon had $180,000 in total live tournament earnings. After the title, he picked up several WSOP Circuit prizes and played on the live stream at The Lodge Card Club in Texas. Unlike some previous champions, he openly says he wants to be a poker ambassador.