The 2026 NBA Draft will be an important event for teams to build for their future. Here is the Darius Acuff NBA Draft Profile.
Position: Guard
Size: 6-foot-2, 186 pounds
Class: Freshman
College: Arkansas
2025-2026 stats: 23.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks, 48.4% FG, 44.0% 3FG, 80.9% FT
Acuff was a five-star recruit who signed with Arkansas out of Florida in the class of 2025. In his one season at Arkansas, he averaged 23.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. He shot 48.4 percent from the floor, 44 percent from 3-point range and 80.9 percent from the free throw line. He helped the Razorbacks make the Sweet Sixteen in the 2026 NCAA Tournament before they lost.
Following the season, Acuff declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. He is currently projected to be a top 10 pick.
Acuff is a good athlete for the NBA. He has an ok vertical leap, but won’t wow in that area. Where he is impressive is his foot quickness and overall speed. He can create space for himself with the ball and also can move well in transition. Acuff also has solid play strength for his size, making him a well-rounded athlete.
He is a three-level scoring threat who is tough to match up with. Acuff can get to the basket and finish at the rim. While he doesn’t always finish with a big dunk, he is creative to finish under the rim as well. Acuff is a solid shooter from the mid-range and a great one from deep. He shot 44 percent from 3-point range at Arkansas, showing the ability to pull up or shoot after the catch.
His ability to run an offense and set up his teammates is apparent. He can operate the pick and roll well and makes the right read to make sure his team gets a basket. Acuff sees the floor well in half-court offense, but also finds the right teammate in transition. He averaged 6.4 assists per game at Arkansas and a spaced out floor at the NBA level may help him improve on that number.
Acuff measured at 6-foot-2 at the NBA Combine, which is getting to be a smaller height for the NBA. He makes up for some of it with his athleticism, but he may have to match up with much bigger players at the next level. This could specifically give him trouble on defense, as he will need to make sure that he isn’t picked on. On offense, he will have to score over longer defenders.
His defense has been problematic in a few different ways. Acuff doesn’t have a great defensive motor and can check out on the defensive end of the floor. When he is guarding off-ball, he doesn’t stay locked in and can struggle to get through screens, giving up easy baskets. His on-ball defense can also lack some effort to stay in front. The athleticism to be a good defender is there, but the buy-in isn’t always there.
He is a decently efficient offensive player, but there are times when he settles for contested jumpers rather than getting to the basket. Acuff can be more committed to driving or hunting open shots at the next level to make him more efficient shots. His ability to create his own shot is there, but he needs to be committed to find the best shot each possession.
Projected Draft Range: Top 10 Pick
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