2026 NBA Draft Profile

Overview
Darius Acuff arrived at Arkansas as one of the most decorated recruits in the country. He was a five-star prospect, McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic participant, Nike Hoop Summit invitee and FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup MVP before getting to campus. He shattered expectations as a freshman, sweeping SEC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors while earning first-team All-SEC and All-Freshman Team recognition. Acuff’s dominance extended to the national stage, where he was named a consensus first-team All-American and won the Bob Cousy Award, the first freshman in Arkansas history to claim the honor. He capped his conference season by leading the Razorbacks to their first SEC Tournament title since 2000, earning MVP honors after averaging over 30 points per game. Acuff also joined Pete Maravich as the only players in SEC history to lead the conference in total points and assists in the same season, rarefied air for a player who won’t turn 20 until November. Despite getting blown out by Arizona in the Sweet Sixteen, it was a successful campaign for Acuff, who finished with averages of 23.5 points, 6.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds on 48/44/81 shooting splits.  

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Analysis
Acuff is the next player up in the John Calipari tree of elite offensive guards. He’s more polished than most of the consensus lottery prospects in the 2026 class, but that doesn’t mean his upside is limited. Acuff is the type of lead playmaker that every NBA team is looking to acquire. An efficient scorer and playmaker in college, Acuff took over games when needed and was at his best in the biggest moments. He averaged 29.8 points, 6.5 assists and 1.2 steals over six tournament games. He also dropped 49 points at Alabama during a double-overtime loss. 

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Projection
Acuff shares physical traits with Jamal Murray, who played for Calipari at Kentucky, and the two guards are also patient, three-level scorers who can be elite distributors depending on the situation. Acuff’s career could also start similarly to Murray, who came off the bench as a rookie. Murray has gradually improved every aspect of his game, culminating in his first All-Star appearance in 2025-26. Acuff could find himself on that stage several times if he lands in the right spot.

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Career Highlights

• 2025-26 consensus All-America First Team selection.
• Finalist for the 2025-26 Naismith and Wooden National Player of the Year awards.
• 2025-26 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year.
• Third player to earn SEC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors in the same season (Anthony Davis and Brandon Miller).
• Gold medalist with USA Basketball and MVP at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup.

Freshman (2025-26)

• Ranked third nationally in scoring (23.5 ppg) and ninth in three-point field goal percentage (44.0%).
• Paced the SEC in scoring, assists (6.4 apg) and minutes (35.1 mpg).
• Became the second player to lead the SEC in scoring and assists in the same season, joining Pete Maravich.
• Set Arkansas single-season records for points (845) and assists (232).
• Named SEC Tournament MVP after leading Arkansas to its first event title since 2000.

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Strengths

• Poised lead guard with superb command of his game.
• Dynamic three-level scorer with advanced shot-making ability.
• Crafty ball handler who creates advantages off the dribble.
• Strong playmaker with a feel for passing.

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Personal

• Favorite player to watch is Allen Iverson.
• Father, Darius Sr., played point guard at Eastern Kentucky and coached him growing up.
• Attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit before transferring to IMG Academy.

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Go Figure
Acuff scored an Arkansas freshman-record 49 points against Alabama on Feb. 18, 2026, the most ever by any Razorback in an SEC game.

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Quotable
“He’s a walking bucket. … He’s built differently than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but like those chest-down drives that those guys get, it reminded me a little bit of him. You watch him in person and you’re like, ‘My God, who’s going to stop this guy?’”
— ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, to Yahoo Sports

 

— Profile by RotoWire.com with additional info from the official NBA Draft Media Guide