Coach John Calipari has trained many of his college recruits to become the stars in the NBA that they are today – say Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Devin Booker. Both can be considered two of the best guards Calipari has ever coached. However, former player Kendrick Perkins believes there’s someone from Arkansas better than them.
On a recent episode of “First Take,” Perkins highlighted guard Darius Acuff Jr. dropping 49 points, five rebounds, and five assists against Alabama, despite the Razorbacks losing. Making a huge claim, Perkins said:
“He is the best guard that John Calipari has coached. I’m not talking about NBA career. College career.”
Well, Perkins isn’t just making such claims out of thin air. Acuff deserves such praise, given he is averaging 22.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists while shooting 50.9% from the field and 44.3% from deep. His 22.3 points per game average is the highest by a guard under Calipari.
Many may consider John Wall and Derrick Rose to be the best guards Calipari has coached. But that’s not the case; neither of them averaged as many points as Acuff. Although Wall and Rose were two of the most dynamic ball-handlers with insane slashing ability, the closest player behind Acuff is Jamal Murray, who averaged 20.0 points per game in the 2015-16 season. This earned him All-SEC First Team Selection as well.
Kendrick Perkins Considers Darius Acuff Jr. The No. 1 Pick
Darryn Peterson is projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the media and scouts in the league. However, if we look at the amount of time Peterson has spent on the court, it heavily impacts his draft stock.
He has played less than 25 minutes in total in his last 15 appearances. In the last game against Oklahoma State, Peterson signaled coach Bill Self to sub him out right after hitting a three in the first half.
Stephen A. Smith has publicly called out Peterson, proclaiming “no team in hell should grab Peterson at No.1.” On the other hand, Kendrick Perkins believes Darius Acuff Jr. is more ready than ever to be in the NBA.
“I would actually take Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 1 pick,” Perkins said. “He is Stephon Marbury times two, with a [Derrick] Rose mentality, as far as his demeanor. He is a bona fide killer. And, when you look at the guards, when you look at the scoring that can impact the league, he’s more NBA-ready right now than AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.”
Acuff is projected to be a lottery pick in this upcoming draft. While he is averaging 22.3 ppg, there is AJ Dybantsa, who is averaging a better 24.8 points per game, and Darryn Peterson, averaging 20 points per game in his appearances so far this season.
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