When it comes to developing top-tier point guards at the college level, John Calipari has long been the gold standard. From John Wall to Derrick Rose, De’Aaron Fox to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Calipari’s track record speaks for itself.
He’s not just coaching talent-he’s shaping future NBA floor generals. And now, it looks like Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. is adding his name to that elite lineage, not just fitting in, but standing out.
Darius Acuff Jr. Is Putting Up Numbers That Demand Attention
Let’s start with the raw production. Acuff is averaging 20.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game.
That’s impressive on its own. But what really jumps off the page is the efficiency: 50.2% shooting from the field and 42.1% from beyond the arc.
Those aren’t just good numbers-they’re elite, especially for a freshman point guard carrying the offensive load.
And he’s doing it while keeping mistakes to a minimum. Just 1.9 turnovers per game.
That kind of ball security, combined with high usage and heavy responsibility, is rare. It’s the mark of a player who not only understands the game but controls it.
Stacking Up Against Calipari’s Best
When you line up Acuff’s numbers next to the biggest names from Calipari’s coaching tree, the results are eye-opening. He leads all of them in points per game.
Yes, even ahead of John Wall, Derrick Rose, De’Aaron Fox, and SGA. That’s not just a statistical quirk-that’s a statement.
His 6.1 assists per game rank third among Calipari’s top point guards, trailing only Wall and Tyler Ulis, both known for their ability to orchestrate an offense. And when it comes to taking care of the ball, Acuff’s 1.9 turnovers per game are second-best on the list, behind only Immanuel Quickley.
That blend of scoring, distributing, and protecting the ball? That’s the complete package.
Efficiency That Sets Him Apart
What makes Acuff’s performance even more impressive is how efficient he’s been. He’s shooting better from the field than any of Calipari’s previous point guards and ranks third in three-point percentage, behind only Quickley and Rob Dillingham. High volume and high efficiency rarely go hand-in-hand, but Acuff is making it look routine.
And he’s doing all this in fewer minutes than many of the guards he’s being compared to. That means he’s maximizing every possession, every touch, and every opportunity.
The Razorbacks lean heavily on him, and defenses know exactly who’s getting the ball. Still, he delivers.
A Floor General Beyond His Years
At just 19, Acuff is showing the kind of poise and polish you typically see from seasoned veterans. He’s not just scoring-he’s leading.
He’s not just facilitating-he’s dictating the pace and tone of the game. That’s what separates good point guards from great ones.
When you combine his scoring output, efficiency, playmaking, ball control, and leadership, you’re looking at one of the most complete statistical profiles of any point guard under Calipari’s watch. And that’s saying something, considering the names that have come through his system.
Being in the same conversation as Wall, Rose, Fox, and SGA is a massive compliment. But outperforming them in key areas?
That’s what makes Darius Acuff Jr.’s rise something special. If this trajectory holds, Calipari may be guiding yet another generational talent-one who’s already proving he belongs among the best.