Darius Acuff Jr. - 2026 NBA Draft Profile
PG, Arkansas Razorbacks - 6’2”, 185 lbs
Past Accomplishments – High School
Team success:
A nationally respected floor general, Acuff steered a powerhouse prep program that thrived on pace control, late‑game execution, and guard‑centric offense. His teams consistently made deep postseason pushes while facing elite EYBL and national‑schedule competition.
Sophomore Season:
Averaged 21.4 points and 5.7 assists per game
He earned AP first-team all-state recognition and was the first sophomore to ever be named Mr. PSL for his play.
Background and Recruit Profile
Born: November 16, 2006
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Recruitment and decision:
A consensus five‑star prospect, Acuff drew interest from nearly every major program before committing to Arkansas. The Razorbacks’ guard‑friendly system, pace, and clear path to primary‑ball‑handler reps made Fayetteville the ideal fit.
Skill set entering college:
Arrived with advanced ball skills, NBA‑range shooting confidence, and the creativity to generate offense without heavy screening. Viewed as one of the most college‑ready initiators in the class.
Physical Profile and Measurables
Height / Position: 6'2"; Point Guard
Frame and athletic traits:
Compact, sturdy frame with a low center of gravity. Explosive first step, sharp change‑of‑direction ability, and excellent balance through contact. Not a vertical athlete, but highly effective using pace, angles, and timing to create advantages.
College Career and Production (as of Feb. 2026)
Role:
Arkansas’ primary initiator — tasked with creating advantages off the dribble, orchestrating pick‑and‑roll, and closing games.
Season averages:
22.2 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.0 RPG, 50% FG, 44.1% 3P, 80% FT - production that reflects a high‑usage lead guard with real efficiency indicators.
Strengths
Shot creation & range: Confident pull‑up shooter with legitimate NBA range; punishes switches and thrives in late‑clock situations.
Playmaking feel: Manipulates pace, spacing, and defenders with advanced poise; consistently finds shooters and cutters.
Handle & separation: Tight, creative handle that allows him to turn the corner without a screen and split hedges in ball‑screen action.
Composure: Embraces pressure moments; operates with maturity and control as a late‑game decision‑maker.
Weaknesses
Defensive consistency: Must improve point‑of‑attack engagement, screen navigation, and off‑ball awareness to avoid being targeted.
Finishing vs. length: Can struggle against elite rim protectors; adding craft (floaters, extended finishes) will boost efficiency.
Turnover control: Aggressive creativity leads to occasional risky reads; tightening decision‑making will raise his floor.
Draft projection:
Mid‑ to late‑first round, with a pathway into the lottery if defensive buy‑in and decision‑making continue trending upward.
Role projection:
NBA rotation point guard with starter potential in the right context — a guard who spaces the floor, collapses defenses, and elevates team offensive IQ.
Ceiling:
Dynamic starting PG who bends coverages with shooting gravity and downhill pressure, creating efficient offense for teammates.
Floor:
High‑end change‑of‑pace guard and secondary creator who thrives in spread pick‑and‑roll lineups.
Pro Comparison
Projects as a Tyrese Maxey–style scoring guard archetype (lite)0 a speed‑driven creator who forces defenses to guard higher than they want, opening driving lanes and kick‑outs. To approach Maxey’s tier, Acuff must grow defensively and improve finishing efficiency against size. If those areas progress, the comparison shifts from spark‑plug scorer to long‑term starter.
Sportsvival View
Sportsvival views Darius Acuff Jr. as one of the most translatable guard prospects in the 2026 class, a modern lead guard whose scoring gravity, pace control, and feel already mirror NBA offensive principles. The swing skills are defensive engagement and decision‑making efficiency. If both trend upward, Acuff carries legitimate first‑round starter equity. Even if they plateau, his shot creation and poise make him an immediate‑impact rotation guard with real offensive value at the next level.