Arkansas Razorbacks freshman Darius Acuff Jr. is doing well on and off the court. After leading the program to the Sweet Sixteen, Acuff Jr. has reportedly joined hands with the major shoe brand, Reebok.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the shoe deal on Monday morning as Acuff Jr. becomes the first NCAA men’s athlete to receive a signature shoe while still in college. Last May, Acuff joined Reebok’s athlete roster on an NIL deal. The roster also includes Tennessee freshman Nate Ament and the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese.
Reebok, which is a competitor of Adidas and Reebok in the signature shoe space, has been investing a lot in basketball. NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson joined the shoe brand in 2023. Moreover, Reese released her signature shoe last September. Dink Pate, Matas Buzelis and DiJonai Carrington are some of the other basketball players who are part of the lineup.
The Detroit Native is enjoying a great season with Arkansas, averaging 23.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. In the postseason, he has taken his game to another level, averaging 30.2 points per game so far. He just became the second freshman in the past 13 years to win SEC Player of the Year.
Last weekend, when it appeared that High Point might upset Arkansas, Acuff Jr. denied a second-round exit with his 36 points.
Darius Acuff Jr. Receives Glowing NBA Draft Endorsement
After denying an upset in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, many analysts are taking him higher in the NBA draft order. Initially projected to be a top 10 pick, Acuff has raised the bar to now become a consideration for a top five pick. TNT panelist Jamal Mashburn has gone further to say he deserves to be picked second overall.
“I think (Darius Acuff Jr.) should be taken No. 2 overall in the NBA Draft,” Mashburn said. “The reason why is because of his mentality, but also some things I saw on the court. He has a great pocket dribble with both hands. He can hesitate, and has a float dribble that can get you up in the air to shoot a three or go by you.
“Once he gets his shoulders past you, it’s nite nite time. At the NBA level, what he can do, there’s more freedom for him. If he can get you 35 when everybody’s locked in on you with great players around him, he can potentially average 25 points a game.”
Acuff Jr. will face strong competition from projected first overall pick and Kansas Jayhawks freshman Darryn Peterson, BYU Cougars’ AJ Dybantsa and Duke Blue Devils’ Cameron Boozer.
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