The 2026 NBA draft class is shaping up to be rich with talent at virtually every position. However, one player who’s risen through the ranks faster than anyone anticipated is Darius Acuff Jr.
Given that he plays the guard position for a John Calipari offense, it was a surprise that no one saw his rise coming. But his true ceiling might be hard to anticipate. The veteran head coach, though, believed he could be right in line with superstars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Maxey in short order.
John Calipari Gives Darius Acuff Jr. a Major NBA Draft Endorsement
A head coach at the collegiate level for the entire 21st century, Calipari built his name with the Kentucky Wildcats. Spending 15 seasons with the program, he helped them to a national championship and made them a virtual guarantee for superstar NBA talent.
Names like John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, and the aforementioned SGA and Maxey all came under him and went on to have spectacular NBA careers. Guards became a specialty for him, with multiple other stars also making their mark after coming out from Kentucky.
Since moving to Arkansas, though, he hasn’t yet catapulted his first star to NBA prominence. Until now, that is. Acuff, in his lone season with the Razorbacks, has already established himself as one of the best point guards in the nation.
Averaging 23.3 points per game and 6.5 assists on a sublime 48.6% from the field and 44.6% from 3-point territory, he is already drawing comparisons to the likes of Kyrie Irving and others.
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But the noise isn’t coming exclusively from the outside. Before their blowout Sweet 16 loss to Arizona (109-88), Calipari had a direct warning for the league: “Pass on him, you’ll regret it.”
Speaking to Andscape, he gave two immediate comparisons: “I said it about Maxey. I’ve said it about a bunch of guys. I said it about Shai: ‘You’re going to regret passing on this kid.’ And I know there are other good players, but this kid is unique.”
Alluding to his resume and the kind of talent he’s coached, he revealed the common denominator for all of them: “The most important thing in their life was basketball. Not all this other bulls**t. That kid is the same way. He doesn’t have a car. Didn’t want a car. Didn’t want to deal with it. He’s grown up.”
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Already, Acuff is drawing some major buzz from NBA circles and the media. His exploits in championship games haven’t gone unnoticed. Even in the NCAA tournament, he averaged nearly 30 points a game, with a sensational showing in the Round of 32.
Calipari added that the youngster is wholly unique in the way he doesn’t let any conversations from the media or outside buzz bother him. Instead, his even-keeled approach has allowed him to shine as one of the best prospects in the class.
