Arkansas' Acuff declares for NBA draft after stellar freshman year

Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. declared for the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday.

A consensus first-team All-American in his freshman season, Acuff averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds while shooting over 48% from the field in 2025-26.

The 19-year-old's only college season was highlighted by a 49-point performance against Alabama in mid-February. Acuff also took home SEC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors, as well as earned the Bob Cousy award, given to the nation's top point guard.

Acuff is projected to be a lottery pick in June. He's the second Arkansas player to declare after Meleek Thomas entered the draft on April 13.