The Arkansas Razorbacks are the #4 seed in the West Region. They will face the #13 seed Hawaii Warriors in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.
Arkansas won the SEC Tournament because of the performance by Darius Acuff Jr. He is one of the most talented freshmen in the country. Acuff has a chance to play his way up NBA Draft boards during the NCAA Tournament.
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In 33 games this season, he has averaged 22.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 6.5 APG. Acuff has also shot 48.6% from the field. He is 6’3″ and weighs 190 lbs.
Sam Vecenie of the Athletic Believes that Arkansas Razorbacks Darius Acuff Jr. Could Be a Top 4 Selection in the 2026 NBA Draft
IMG Academy Ascenders guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket during the third quarter of the City of Palms Classic semifinal game against the Columbus Explorers at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
There is no question that Cameron Boozer of the Duke Blue Devils, Darryn Peterson of the Kansas Jayhawks, and AJ Dybantsa of the BYU Cougars will be the top three selections in the 2026 NBA Draft. There is also a question about who could be the fourth overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft.
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Depending on how well and how far Arkansas goes in the NCAA Tournament, Acuff could no doubt play his way into the top four. Sam Vecenie of the Athletic said, “Even with the significant defensive questions, Acuff is a big tournament run away from putting himself in the mix with the top-four players — Peterson, Boozer, Dybantsa and North Carolina’s injured forward Caleb Wilson.
I get asked occasionally by an NBA scout why Acuff can’t go in the top four, but those tend to be few and far between. NBA executives are impressed by his game and want to buy into him. I have him at No. 5 on my board, even though I am among the most averse evaluators you will find about selecting smaller guards because of the limitations they put on an NBA defense. But Acuff has just been that good on offense.”
Acuff is one of the most talented offensive players in this year’s draft class. If he leads them to a National Title, there is no question that Acuff will be a top four selection in this year’s draft class. He is a very special talent at the point guard position. Acuff is going to be very hard to stop in the NCAA Tournament.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.