Darius Acuff Jr. Is Rising Fast - And Everyone’s Taking Notice
In just under two weeks, Darius Acuff Jr. has gone from a promising freshman to a name NBA scouts are circling in red ink. From stuffing the stat sheet to climbing mock draft boards, Acuff has been on a tear that’s turning heads across college basketball - and beyond.
Let’s take a look at what’s fueling the buzz and why Acuff’s game is drawing serious NBA attention.
Production Meets Projection
Since December 3rd, Acuff has been on an absolute heater. We’re talking about a stretch that includes:
- A 17-point, 10-assist double-double in a win over Louisville - a team with another top guard prospect on the floor.
- An 18-8-5 line in a blowout of Fresno State.
- A 20-point, 8-assist performance in a win over Texas Tech.
That’s not just good production - it’s consistent, high-level output against real competition. And the scouts have taken notice.
Acuff landed at No. 12 in a recent two-round mock draft by a widely respected evaluator. He’s been the subject of detailed scouting breakdowns and even got the podcast treatment from analysts who live and breathe NBA Draft talk.
December has been kind to Acuff. But it’s not just the numbers - it’s how he’s getting them.
Defensive Concerns - and Smart Coaching
Let’s start with the one area that’s drawing some concern: defense.
Early in the season, Acuff was involved in a number of pick-and-roll breakdowns. Scouts have noticed, and the consensus is clear - he’s going to get targeted defensively. That’s not uncommon for young, offensive-minded guards, but it’s something NBA teams will factor into their evaluations.
To their credit, John Calipari and his Arkansas staff are already making adjustments. Against Texas Tech, they smartly hid Acuff on a wing player who rarely gets involved in on-ball action. That kind of scheme helps limit his exposure on defense and allows him to conserve energy for what he does best - running the offense.
Now, let’s be clear: that strategy won’t hold up at the NBA level, where teams will find ways to drag him into the action. But for Arkansas right now, it’s a smart move that plays to his strengths.
Rim Pressure That Bends Defenses
What separates Acuff from other high-usage guards is how effectively he gets downhill. He doesn’t just flirt with the paint - he lives there.
Take his transition finish through contact over a bigger defender. That’s the kind of play that makes scouts sit up in their chairs.
And he’s not just doing it in the open floor. In the halfcourt, Acuff uses a slick blend of pace changes and tight handles to reject screens and burst to the rim.
One play against Texas Tech stood out: he rejected the ball screen, blew by his man, and finished at the cup with a trailing defender right on his hip. That’s not just speed - that’s control, timing, and confidence.
There’s been some chatter that Acuff isn’t getting to the rim enough, but the numbers say otherwise. According to CBB Analytics, rim attempts make up the largest chunk of his shot profile - and he’s converting them at an above-average rate. For a guard who’s still finding his rhythm at the college level, that’s a strong indicator of what’s to come.
Facilitating With Purpose
Acuff’s rim pressure isn’t just helping him score - it’s unlocking the rest of Arkansas’s offense.
In his last three games, he’s racked up eight or more assists each time. Over his last five, he’s averaging 6.6 dimes per game. That’s not just a guy passing out of trouble - that’s a player who understands how to manipulate defenses.
When Acuff comes off a high ball screen, defenders collapse to cut off his drive. That opens up passing lanes, and he’s showing the vision to find shooters in the right spots.
One possession against Texas Tech showed it perfectly: he drove hard off the screen, forced a help stunt from the wing, and zipped a pass to Trevon Brazile in the corner. It wasn’t just the right read - it was the timely read.
And when teams overcommit to the two-man game? Acuff’s smart enough to skip it to a knockdown shooter like Karter Knox, who’s hitting over 50 percent from deep. That’s the kind of decision-making that makes coaches trust you with the ball in your hands - and makes NBA scouts take notice.
The Surprise: Efficient Three-Point Shooting
Coming into the season, Acuff was billed as a classic New York-style guard - shifty, creative, tough at the rim. Think Stephon Marbury vibes. But what’s caught people off guard is how well he’s shooting the three.
He’s currently hitting 42 percent from deep on six attempts per game - and an eye-popping 58.4 percent from the corners. That’s not just hot - that’s elite.
Now, it’s fair to expect some regression as the season goes on. But even if he settles into the 34-38 percent range, that’s more than enough to keep defenses honest and open up the rest of his game. Combine that with his rim pressure and passing, and you’ve got a guard who’s tough to cover at any level.
Stock on the Rise
Depending on who you ask, Acuff is sitting somewhere between the 12th and 20th pick in next summer’s NBA Draft. That’s partly because this class is loaded with talented guards. But if he keeps stringing together performances like these - especially when the lights get brighter in March and April - it’s hard to imagine he won’t push his way into the lottery conversation.
For now, Acuff is doing exactly what you want to see from a high-upside freshman: producing, improving, and proving he can lead.
And if this is what December looks like, just wait until spring.