When the Arkansas Razorbacks take the court for an NCAA West Regional first-round game against the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors, Razorbacks head coach John Calipari will look on with pride as freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. runs the offense.
Calipari is giving his guard high praise, placing him in the same league as NBA players.
John Calipari Says Darius Acuff Jr. on Same Level as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Derrick Rose
Keith Taylor, a University of Kentucky beat writer for Kentucky Today, posted on X what Calipari had to say about Acuff.
“You’re looking at a kid that can go in that league (NBA) and have the ball in his hands and make good decisions and make shots,” Calipari said.
“I don’t want to put pressure on him,” Calipari continued. “I’ve had a lot of really good — 13 of ’em have become All-Stars, two of ’em have become MVPs. You’re talking about Rookies of the Year, Defensive Players of the Year. He’s right in there with them.”
John Calipari on Freshman sensation Darius Acuff Jr.
“You’re looking at a kid that can go in that league (NBA) and have the ball in his hands and make good decisions and make shots. I don’t want to put pressure on him. I’ve had a lot of really good — 13 of ’em have become…
— Keith Taylor (@keithtaylor21) March 14, 2026
Calipari’s reference to two of his players becoming Most Valuable Players in the NBA includes Oklahoma City Thunder forward Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who played for Calipari’s Kentucky team in the 2017-18 season.
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The other player Calipari referenced is Derrick Rose, who played for Calipari at Memphis between 2006-08.
Acuff, a freshman from Detroit, scored 30 points in the Razorbacks’ SEC Tournament championship game as Arkansas defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 86-75. In the 2025-26 regular season, Acuff averaged 22.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. He shot 48.7% from the floor.
Darius Acuff in the SEC title game:
30 PTS | 5-8 3PT | 11 AST | 37 MINS
best player in the country? pic.twitter.com/diPDG6BaKo
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 15, 2026
Acuff also shot 43.7% from beyond the 3-point arc in the regular season and 80.1% from the free-throw line.
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As a freshman, being compared with Gilgeous-Alexander and Rose is a significant compliment from his head coach. Calipari has long been a fixture in college basketball and has seen many great players perform at a high level.
Acuff now has the opportunity to show the college basketball world what he can do on the biggest stage: the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
