In the competitive basketball world, the Acuff name has been making waves across different levels of the sport. Tyson Acuff, currently playing for Rutgers, and rising star Darius Acuff Jr., who recently committed to Arkansas, have sparked fan curiosity due to their shared surname and Detroit roots.
Basketball talent seems to run in the family as both athletes display similar playing styles and career trajectories. Their parallel paths from Detroit’s Cass Technical High School to national prominence have left many wondering about their connection.
The Family Connection For Tyson Acuff and Darius Acuff
Verified sources confirm that Tyson Acuff and Darius Acuff Jr. are indeed cousins. Darius Jr., born in 2006, is the son of Darius Acuff Sr., making Tyson his first cousin. Their bloodline represents a basketball dynasty with deep Detroit roots where multiple family members have excelled on the court.
The Acuff family has established a notable presence in Michigan’s basketball community. The previous generation set a high bar with Tyson’s dad and his three uncles making names for themselves on Detroit’s tough high school courts. This athletic lineage laid the groundwork for the next generation, with Tyson and Darius Jr. emerging as heirs to the family’s basketball legacy.
Following Similar Paths to Success
Both Acuffs began their basketball journeys at Cass Technical High School in Detroit. Tyson dominated at Cass Tech, averaging an impressive 27.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game as a senior before embarking on his collegiate career.
At Cass Tech, Darius Jr. walked the same halls as his older cousin bringing home a state title in 2023 and making history as a sophomore by claiming the prestigious Mr. PSL title, an award recognizing the best player in Detroit’s Public School League.
His journey then took him to Florida’s IMG Academy, where scouts quickly elevated him to coveted five-star prospect status.
Their professional trajectories showcase the family’s basketball prowess. Tyson transferred from Duquesne to Eastern Michigan, where he led the Mid-American Conference with 21.7 points per game in the 2023-24 season before joining Rutgers. Meanwhile, Darius Jr. has committed to Arkansas under coach John Calipari.
The cousins’ relationship extends beyond genetics into mutual support and mentorship. When Darius Jr. was named a Naismith High School Player of the Year finalist in 2025, Tyson celebrated on social media, “You know dat 🔥🔥🔥.” This public interaction highlights their camaraderie and family bond.
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With Tyson working to make his mark at Rutgers in the Big Ten conference while Darius Jr. readies for his freshman season at Arkansas in the SEC, the Acuff cousins continue writing their connected basketball story.
Their family bond fuels their success on the court, and basketball enthusiasts everywhere will be closely following these Detroit-bred talents’ evolving careers.
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