Darius Acuff Jr. stood before reporters inside Golden 1 Center on Monday morning as one of the newest members of the Sacramento Kings. For Acuff, it was a moment of accomplishment. For onlookers, it was a glimpse into the future of Kings basketball.
Sacramento selected Acuff with the seventh overall pick in the June 23 NBA Draft. He’s one of the most skilled offensive players in the 2026 draft. In one season for Arkansas, the freshman averaged 23.5 points while shooting 48.4% from the field, 44% from the three-point line, and 80.9% from the free-throw line.
“He led the SEC in both scoring and assists as a freshman,” Kings General Manager Scott Perry said. “The first player and freshman to do that since a guy by the name of Pistol ‘Pete’ Maravich … he’s a high-level playmaker and someone we’re excited to have here with the ball in his hands for many years to come.”
Acuff was joined by UConn’s Alex Karaban, the 29th pick in the first round, and Houston’s Emanuel Sharp, the team’s only second-round selection.
“What excites us about all three of these young men is that they all played for Hall of Fame coaches in college,” Perry said. “Darius played for John Calipari at Arkansas, a one-time national champion. Alex Karaban played for Danny Hurley, an outstanding coach, two-time national champion, and Emanuel played for Kelvin Sampson, an excellent coach who has been to the Final Four a number of times.”