Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. declares for 2026 NBA draft

Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. announces his decision to enter the 2026 NBA draft as a projected top pick.

Acuff's draft declaration Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. has officially declared his intention to enter the 2026 NBA draft. He shared the news during a broadcast segment on Wednesday. Acuff is currently projected as the sixth overall pick in the draft according to the rankings. When speaking about his decision, he began by expressing gratitude, starting with a moment of thanks to a higher power. He then acknowledged his family’s essential role in his journey, emphasizing that their support made his achievements possible. He also expressed appreciation for the coaches and teammates who contributed to his growth throughout his career. ## Path to the next level On Tuesday, Acuff took in an NBA playoff game featuring the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Houston Rockets in their first-round series opener. Standing at 6-foot-3, he plays the point guard position and believes he has what it takes to shine in postseason basketball at the professional level. He articulated his ambition during the announcement, stating clearly that he envisions himself competing at that elevated level. Reflecting on the NBA game he watched, he described the experience as exciting and different from his previous observations. He noted the faster pace of the professional game and the intense competition among teams vying for a championship, which further solidified his belief in his own potential to reach that stage. ## Calipari connection and legacy Acuff is the latest point guard from the program led by coach John Calipari to enter the NBA draft as a projected top-10 selection. Derrick Rose, the 2008 top overall pick, won a national title under Calipari at Memphis before declaring for the draft. In 2010, John Wall guided Kentucky to the Elite Eight in Calipari’s first year with the Wildcats and became the first overall pick that summer. Other Calipari-developed guards such as Brandin Knight, De'Aaron Fox, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also earned lottery selections. Acuff credited Calipari’s proven success with point guards as a key factor in his decision to join Arkansas. ## Iverson's influence Allen Iverson served as a major inspiration for Acuff’s style of play at the point guard position. Acuff revealed that watching Iverson’s highlights sparked an immediate connection, leading him to adopt the Hall of Famer as a new favorite player despite never having seen him play live. He explained that YouTube highlights were enough to convince him of Iverson’s impact on the game. Acuff also pointed out the stylistic similarities between their games, including his adoption of cornrows, which he credited to Iverson’s influence. He shared Iverson’s mindset, saying, “He always told me to just play every game like it's your last,” a philosophy Acuff embraces and takes pride in applying to his own performances.