Darius Acuff Jr. Declares For 2026 NBA Draft

He averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 44 from three-point range, leading Arkansas to the Sweet 16. The announcement continues a notable pattern under coach John Calipari. Derrick Rose, John Wall, De'Aaron Fox, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are among the lottery picks who developed under Calipari at Memphis and Kentucky. Acuff cited that track record as a factor in his decision to sign with Arkansas. NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson also played a formative role in Acuff's development and style of play. The two have built a relationship in recent months. We've got a lot of similarities. He's one of the reasons I got cornrows, so he inspired me a lot, Acuff said. He always told me to just play every game like it's your last. Acuff said watching Tuesday's Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets playoff game reinforced his ambitions at the next level. I see myself there, for sure. That's one of my goals, he said.