We’re in the midst of the college basketball offseason, which means John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks aren’t in action. But with the 2026 NBA Draft taking place, Calipari is still having a big day.
For Calipari, the action got underway when the Sacramento Kings made Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. the seventh overall pick in the first round. Calipari coached Acuff last season with the Razorbacks, leading them to the Sweet 16. Yet the Acuff selection was impactful for Calipari for different, historical reasons.
Darius Acuff Jr. Marks John Calipari’s Record-Setting Lottery Pick
As ESPN Insights noted on X, Acuff became the 30th lottery selection to suit up for Calipari in college. That number surpasses Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, who had coached 29 players who later became lotto selections before retiring from coaching after the 2022 season.
What’s crazy is that Krzyzewski was 75 years old when he retired. Calipari is still just 67 and has only been at Arkansas since 2024.
Chances are, he’ll put this record far out of reach before deciding to retire.
Darius Acuff Jr. is the 30th lottery pick to play for John Calipari, passing Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski for the most lottery picks coached. pic.twitter.com/JMa9g01i7p
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) June 24, 2026
Not only is Acuff the first lottery pick Calipari coached at Arkansas, but he’s also the only first-round pick the Razorbacks have had drafted since Calipari arrived two seasons ago. Yet the Brooklyn Nets did select Adou Thiero with the 36th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
While Calipari can’t turn top recruits into lottery selections each year, this is the 16th draft class since 2008 in which he’s produced a player taken in the first 14 picks.
As for Acuff, he now joins a Kings team that is still searching for its identity after a brutal 22-60 season in Doug Christie’s first full year as head coach. The 19-year-old will surely play a central role in the team’s plans, even as a rookie.
The 6-foot-3 point guard has drawn some loose player comparisons to recent champion Jalen Brunson. His play strength and ability as a three-level scorer are some traits that could drive Acuff to greatness at the next level, too.
Yet Acuff, like Brunson, isn’t a premier defender, and he’ll certainly face challenges as he adjusts to the pros.
Acuff has the type of potential to lead his team in scoring right from the jump. For a Kings team that finished 28th in scoring, he could be just what they need.
