Trending Now - Calipari Declares Darius Acuff Jr. an Elite NBA Prospect
WHO:
John Calipari, head coach of Arkansas
Darius Acuff Jr., freshman guard
Jordan Smith Jr., Gatorade Player of the Year
John Calipari, head coach of Arkansas
Darius Acuff Jr., freshman guard
Jordan Smith Jr., Gatorade Player of the Year
John Calipari, head coach of Arkansas
Darius Acuff Jr., freshman guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, reigning NBA MVP
Derrick Rose, former NBA MVP
John Wall, five-time NBA All-Star
Jamal Murray, NBA All-Star
De'Aaron Fox, NBA All-Star
Devin Booker, NBA All-Star
Tyler Herro, NBA All-Star
An unnamed NBA general manager
WHAT:
Calipari stated, "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,'" regarding Acuff.
Acuff's ranking in the 2026 draft class has reportedly climbed since March 11th, 2026, but the new specific ranking has not been disclosed.
Calipari stated, "Pass on him, you'll regret it," regarding Acuff, drawing comparisons to Tyrese Maxey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Acuff's ranking in the 2026 draft class has reportedly climbed since March 11th, 2026.
John Calipari declared Darius Acuff Jr. an elite NBA prospect.
Acuff is averaging 23.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Acuff is shooting 44.6% from three-point range.
Acuff's postseason production is 30.2 points per game across five tournament contests.
An NBA general manager considers Acuff the top guard in the 2026 draft class and the third-best overall prospect.
ESPN projected Acuff as the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft as of March 11th, 2026.
WHERE:
Arkansas (location of John Calipari's coaching)
WHEN:
The statements and statistics are relevant to the year 2026.
ESPN's projection was made on March 11th, 2026.
WHY:
Jordan Smith Jr. admitted that seeing Darius Acuff Jr.'s success under John Calipari convinced him to choose the Razorbacks.
Jordan Smith Jr. chose to commit to Arkansas, influenced by Darius Acuff Jr.'s success under Calipari.
Calipari cautioned NBA franchises against undervaluing Acuff, drawing parallels to past successful players he has coached.
Acuff expressed that being overlooked has been a consistent theme in his career, stating, "When you win, everything will come within itself."
HOW:
Acuff expressed, "It's always been like that," regarding being overlooked throughout his career.
Calipari emphasized Acuff's dedication, stating, "The guys I've had that have gone on through and been All-Stars - they lived in the gym. That kid is the same way."
Calipari emphasized Acuff's singular focus and dedication to training, comparing it to the work ethic of previous All-Stars he has coached.
(UPDATED March 27, 2026 19:18 UTC)
John Calipari, the head coach of Arkansas, praised freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr., saying that teams will regret passing on him, similar to his past comments about other standout players. Acuff's draft ranking has reportedly risen since March 11, although the exact position has not been revealed, and fellow player Jordan Smith Jr. noted that Acuff's success influenced his decision to join the Razorbacks. Acuff reflected on his journey, stating, "It's always been like that," in response to feeling overlooked throughout his career.
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(UPDATED March 27, 2026 17:17 UTC)
John Calipari, head coach of Arkansas, praised freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr., stating, "Pass on him, you'll regret it," while drawing comparisons to NBA stars Tyrese Maxey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Acuff's draft ranking has reportedly surged since March 11, and his success has influenced Jordan Smith Jr. to commit to Arkansas. Calipari highlighted Acuff's dedication, noting that the best players he’s coached lived in the gym, and "that kid is the same way."
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(UPDATED March 27, 2026 15:16 UTC)
John Calipari, the head coach of Arkansas, has declared freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. an elite NBA prospect, highlighting his impressive averages of 23.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game, along with a three-point shooting percentage of 44.6%. An NBA general manager has labeled Acuff as the top guard in the 2026 draft class, while ESPN projected him as the seventh overall pick as of March 11. Calipari cautioned franchises against undervaluing Acuff, drawing on his own experiences with successful players, as Acuff himself noted that being overlooked has been a recurring theme in his career.