Arkansas G Darius Acuff Jr. declares for 2026 NBA Draft

Acuff was also as capable as anyone in college basketball of dropping 30 points in a given game. He hit the 30-point mark six times and even scored 49 points in a 117-115 double-overtime loss at Alabama in February. Acuff was 16-of-27 from the field in that game and made 11-of-12 free throws.

Acuff shot at least 50% from the field in each of those six 30-point games and dropped 31 in a win over Auburn just four days before that loss to Alabama. Against the Tigers, Acuff was 10-of-15 from the field. On Jan. 24, Acuff was 13-of-19 as he dropped 31 points in a home win over LSU.

With Acuff leading the way, Arkansas finished 28-9 overall and was second in the SEC at 13-5. The Razorbacks were a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament and lost 109-88 in the Sweet 16 to No. 1 Arizona.

In Yahoo Sports’ latest mock draft on Wednesday morning, Kevin O’Connor had Acuff going seventh overall to the Brooklyn Nets. Here’s what O’Connor wrote about him.

Acuff is a wiry scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor with a quick trigger, slippery handle, and a feel for manipulating defenses. He can also thrive off-ball as a shooter and cutter, which would be vital for a Nets roster already full of ball-handlers. Acuff would have the highest upside of them all, though. He entered college with a scoring reputation, but has emerged as a skilled, low-turnover playmaker; he looks like a future All-Star who can toggle between a score-first or pass-first approach. Plus, he displays leadership qualities. The Nets are still badly in need of a lead dog. Acuff could be that guy.

Acuff came to Arkansas as a five-star recruit and the No. 9 player in the country. He was the No. 3 prospect in the state of Florida — he played his high school basketball at IMG Academy — and was the No. 2 point guard behind fellow 2026 NBA Draft entrant Mikel Brown Jr.