Trending Now - Darius Acuff Jr. Gains NBA Buzz Following Stellar NCAA Performance

WHO:

Darius Acuff Jr., freshman basketball player for Arkansas

Rob Martin, player for High Point

John Calipari, coach of Arkansas

Meleek Thomas, fellow freshman for Arkansas

Darius Acuff Jr., freshman basketball player for Arkansas

Rob Martin, player for High Point

John Calipari, coach of Arkansas

Arkansas Razorbacks, NCAA basketball team

High Point Panthers, NCAA basketball team

WHAT:

Acuff scored 36 points in the NCAA Tournament game against High Point on March 21st, 2026.

Acuff's performance included 23 points in the second half and six assists.

Acuff's scoring output is the second-highest by a freshman in tournament history, trailing De'Aaron Fox's 39 points in the 2017 Sweet 16.

Acuff scored 12 of Arkansas' final 15 points, including back-to-back layups and a three-pointer to stretch the lead to 90-83 with 58 seconds remaining.

Acuff finished the tournament with 60 points and 13 assists across two games.

Acuff and Martin became the first opposing players to each record 30 points and five assists in a tournament game since 1987.

High Point's Rob Martin finished with 30 points, four rebounds, and five assists.

Acuff's 36 points in the game against High Point are the most in an Arkansas tournament game in program history.

Acuff's performance included 23 points in the second half and six assists.

Acuff's scoring output is the second-highest by a freshman in tournament history, trailing De'Aaron Fox's 39 points in the 2017 Sweet 16.

Acuff scored 12 of Arkansas' final 15 points, including back-to-back layups and a three-pointer to stretch the lead to 90-83 with 58 seconds remaining.

Acuff finished the tournament with 60 points and 13 assists across two games.

Acuff and Martin became the first opposing players to each record 30 points and five assists in a tournament game since 1987.

Acuff scored 34 points in a March Madness game against High Point, contributing to Arkansas' victory.

Acuff's performance has led NBA scouts to reconsider his potential as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Acuff is now challenging Duke's Cameron Boozer for the Naismith Player of the Year award following his NCAA Tournament performances.

Acuff's performance included 23 points in the second half and six assists, making him just the second freshman since 1973 to begin an NCAA Tournament career with back-to-back 20-point, five-assist performances, joining Chris Paul.

Acuff's scoring output is the second-highest by a freshman in tournament history, trailing De'Aaron Fox's 39 points in the 2017 Sweet 16.

Acuff scored 12 of Arkansas' final 15 points, including back-to-back layups and a three-pointer to stretch the lead to 90-83 with 58 seconds remaining.

Acuff finished the tournament with 60 points and 13 assists across two games.

Acuff's 36 points are the most in an Arkansas tournament game in program history.

Acuff's performance included 23 points in the second half and six assists.

Acuff and Martin became the first opposing players to each record 30 points and five assists in a tournament game since 1987.

Acuff's scoring output is the second-highest by a freshman in tournament history, trailing De'Aaron Fox's 39 points in the 2017 Sweet 16.

Acuff's performance included 23 points in the second half.

Acuff is the second freshman since 1973 to begin an NCAA Tournament career with back-to-back 20-point, five-assist performances, joining Chris Paul.

Acuff's scoring output is the second-highest by a freshman in tournament history, trailing De'Aaron Fox's 39 points in the 2017 Sweet 16.

Acuff scored 12 of Arkansas' final 15 points, including back-to-back layups and a three-pointer to stretch the lead to 90-83 with 58 seconds remaining.

Acuff finished the tournament with 60 points and 13 assists across two games.

Darius Acuff Jr. scored 36 points in the NCAA Tournament game.

Arkansas defeated High Point 94-88 to advance to the Sweet 16.

Acuff recorded 23 points in the second half and six assists.

Acuff became the second freshman since 1973 to have back-to-back 20-point, five-assist performances in the NCAA Tournament.

Acuff's 36 points are the most in an Arkansas tournament game in program history.

Acuff's scoring output is the second-highest by a freshman in tournament history, behind De'Aaron Fox's 39 points in 2017.

Meleek Thomas, fellow freshman, contributed 19 points for Arkansas.

Rob Martin scored 30 points, four rebounds, and five assists for High Point.

Acuff and Martin are the first opposing players to each record 30 points and five assists in a tournament game since 1987.

Acuff finished with 60 points and 13 assists across two tournament games.

WHERE:

The game took place in Portland.

WHEN:

The game occurred on Saturday night, March 21st, 2026.

WHY:

Allen Iverson endorsed Darius Acuff Jr., calling him "The Next HIM," which could elevate his draft stock.

John Calipari stated, "They have otherworldly confidence. They could run for president and believe they could run this country, because that's how they think."

Rob Martin stated, "He's a great player. He made great plays," regarding Acuff's performance.

Rob Martin expressed confidence in his performance against Acuff, stating, "I feel pretty good about how I matched up against a lottery pick."

Acuff expressed a desire to perform well in significant moments, stating, "It's how I was raised. Always wanted to be in the big moment."

Allen Iverson endorsed Darius Acuff Jr., calling him "The Next HIM," which could elevate his draft stock.

John Calipari stated, "They have otherworldly confidence. They could run for president and believe they could run this country, because that's how they think."

Allen Iverson endorsed Darius Acuff Jr., calling him "The Next HIM," which could elevate his draft stock.

John Calipari stated, "They have otherworldly confidence. They could run for president and believe they could run this country, because that's how they think."

Rob Martin stated, "I feel pretty good about how I matched up against a lottery pick," regarding his performance against Acuff.

Rob Martin stated, "He's a great player. He made great plays," regarding Acuff's performance.

Acuff expressed a desire to perform well in significant moments, stating, "It's how I was raised. Always wanted to be in the big moment."

John Calipari credited Acuff and Thomas with having "otherworldly confidence."

HOW:

Acuff's decisive performance included scoring 12 of Arkansas' final 15 points in the game against High Point.

Acuff scored 12 of Arkansas' final 15 points, including back-to-back layups and a three-pointer to secure the lead.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 15:34 UTC)

In a stunning display during the NCAA Tournament on March 21, Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. scored 36 points against High Point, marking the second-highest scoring output by a freshman in tournament history. Acuff's impressive performance included 23 points in the second half and crucial plays that helped secure the win, while High Point's Rob Martin also shone with 30 points and five assists, making them the first opposing players to each hit those marks in a tournament game since 1987. Both coaches praised Acuff's confidence, with John Calipari noting their "otherworldly confidence," and Rob Martin acknowledging Acuff's talent, stating he felt good about his own performance against a potential lottery pick.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 07:26 UTC)

In a standout performance, Darius Acuff scored 36 points in Arkansas' tournament game against High Point, setting a new program record for the most points in a tournament game. Acuff's impressive showing included 23 points in the second half and helped secure the victory as he scored 12 of Arkansas' final 15 points, including crucial back-to-back layups and a three-pointer. His scoring output also marks the second-highest by a freshman in tournament history, just behind De'Aaron Fox's 39 points in the 2017 Sweet 16.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 05:38 UTC)

In a standout performance during March Madness, Darius Acuff scored 34 points, leading Arkansas to victory over High Point, which has caught the attention of NBA scouts who are now reevaluating him as a potential No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. Acuff's impressive play has also put him in direct competition with Duke's Cameron Boozer for the prestigious Naismith Player of the Year award. Adding to the buzz, basketball legend Allen Iverson has endorsed Acuff, dubbing him "The Next HIM," further boosting his draft prospects.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 03:58 UTC)

In an impressive display, Acuff scored 23 points in the second half and dished out six assists, becoming just the second freshman since 1973 to start an NCAA Tournament career with back-to-back 20-point, five-assist games, joining the ranks of Chris Paul. His scoring total of 60 points and 13 assists across two games marks the second-highest by a freshman in tournament history, only behind De'Aaron Fox's 39 points in the 2017 Sweet 16. Acuff's clutch performance included scoring 12 of Arkansas' final 15 points against High Point, sealing the game with back-to-back layups and a three-pointer to secure a 90-83 victory with just 58 seconds left on the clock.

(UPDATED March 22, 2026 23:18 UTC)

In an impressive display, Acuff scored 36 points in a tournament game, setting a new record for Arkansas and marking the most points ever scored by a freshman in tournament history, just shy of De'Aaron Fox's 39 points from the 2017 Sweet 16. His performance included 23 points in the second half and six assists, while he and Rob Martin made history as the first opposing players to each record 30 points and five assists in a tournament game since 1987. Martin expressed confidence in his own performance, stating, "I feel pretty good about how I matched up against a lottery pick," referring to his matchup with Acuff.

(UPDATED March 22, 2026 21:15 UTC)

In an impressive display during the NCAA Tournament, Acuff scored 23 points in the second half and became the second freshman since 1973 to start his tournament career with back-to-back 20-point, five-assist games, joining the ranks of Chris Paul. He finished with a total of 60 points and 13 assists over two games, marking the second-highest scoring output by a freshman in tournament history, just behind De'Aaron Fox's 39 points in the 2017 Sweet 16. Coach Rob Martin praised Acuff, saying, "He's a great player. He made great plays," highlighting his crucial contributions, including scoring 12 of Arkansas' final 15 points in a thrilling finish.

(UPDATED March 22, 2026 17:18 UTC)

In an exciting NCAA Tournament game on Saturday night, March 21, 2026, Darius Acuff Jr. led the Arkansas Razorbacks to a thrilling 94-88 victory over the High Point Panthers, scoring a remarkable 36 points, the most in program history for a tournament game. Acuff's performance included 23 points in the second half and six assists, making him only the second freshman since 1973 to achieve back-to-back 20-point, five-assist games in the tournament. High Point's Rob Martin also had an impressive outing with 30 points, marking the first time since 1987 that opposing players each recorded 30 points and five assists in a tournament game.