John Calipari sends strong message to NBA teams not to pass on Darius Acuff Jr: ‘You will regret it’

John Calipari isn’t just endorsing Darius Acuff Jr. at the professional level. He’s warning the NBA not to pass on the Arkansas superstar.

Following the Razorbacks’ Sweet 16 exit, Calipari made it clear that any franchise thinking about passing on his star freshman guard could be making a massive mistake. Speaking on First Take, the longtime coach delivered one of his most emphatic draft evaluations in recent memory.

“I think, if you pass on him, as an NBA franchise, you will look back and say, ‘What were we thinking?’” Calipari said. “You will regret it.”

That confidence comes from more than just Acuff’s production. It’s about toughness and what Calipari believes evaluators aren’t fully seeing: “The thing they don’t know is he was hurt the last 12 to 15 games,” Calipari said. “His toe was really — he could have said, ‘I’m done,’ and there was no way he was going to shut it down.”

According to Calipari, Acuff didn’t just play through injury, he thrived despite it. In one of the defining moments of Arkansas’ season, Acuff logged 50 minutes in a double-overtime battle against Alabama, refusing to come off the floor even as the Razorbacks dealt with foul trouble and a depleted rotation: “This kid fought to win that game,” Calipari added. “Played all 50 minutes.”

Calipari believes that mindset separates Acuff from others in this draft class. Even when his coach tried to protect him, Acuff pushed back: “I said, ‘I’m not playing you the next game. Your toe, you’re out,’” Calipari recalled. “And he’s like, ‘We just lost. I’m playing,’ and he got up and left.”

Moreover, beyond his toughness, Calipari highlighted Acuff’s on-court versatility, something that should only enhance his appeal at the next level: “He can play on the ball, can play off the ball,” Calipari said. “They talk about X-Y-Z, but this guy is real.”

Of course, the numbers back it up. In 36 games, Acuff averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 assists and shot an efficient 48.4% from the field and 44% from three-point range, production that has him firmly in the lottery conversation. Some projections place him as high as No. 6 overall.

But for Calipari, this isn’t about mock drafts or projections, but it’s about conviction. Acuff, in his eyes, has already proven everything that matters. And if teams overthink it? Calipari believes they’ll be reminded of that decision for years to come.