Men’s college basketball has been blessed with some of the best talents in this year’s freshman class. Names like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer have been on everyone’s minds. However, names like Darius Acuff Jr, Caleb Wilson, Kingston Flemings, and Keaton Wagler have also gotten a lot of attention. Arkansas Razorbackshe 2026 freshman class is stacked, and that also means that we have an amazing NBA draft ahead of us this year.
Most recently, one player who has proved his worth is the Arkansas Razorbacks’ Darius Acuff Jr. In 30 games so far, he has been averaging 22.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. He has been one of the most important parts of John Calipari’s unit. He is one of the great guards who have grown under Calipari’s leadership.
In the Arkansas Razorbacks’ latest game against the Texas Longhorns, Darius Acuff Jr once again shone. He finished with 28 points and scored 8-15 from the field, 4-9 three pointers, and 8-10 free throws. He was well supported by Meleek Thomas and Trevon Brazile, who scored 13 and 28 points, respectively.
Calipari’s Arkansas was just too good for Texas, as the game ended 105-85. Texas head coach Sean Miller had some high praise for Arkansas’ star freshman Darius after the disappointing loss.
“I’m just going to make one statement here. Uh, usually a guy like Acuff gets, you know, too much credit or too much respect as a young player in college basketball. You know, that can happen sometimes when a guy is that highly touted and certainly has this bright future beyond college like he does. But in my time, and I’ll just go 34 years, I’ve never seen a point guard better,” Miller made a bold claim.
“And when people talk about, you know, who’s going to be the number one pick in the NBA draft or who’s the best player in the conference, I mean, just for a perspective, and I think our conference is great. He averages 25 points a game. I’ll just start right there. He shoots 40% from the three-point line. He leads our league in assists. I think he’s the first player since Pete Maravic who’s led our league in both points and assists,” coach Miller continued.
“If you look at Arkansas as a team, the best thing they do is they never turn the ball over. And that’s because he has the ball in his hands 80% of the time. His assist-to-turnover ratio is astonishing. And not until you are actually in the game and you feel his presence. You know, the adage of a point guard makes the game easier for his teammates. He’s a textbook prime example of that. I just have never been on a court where one player at that position is any better than he is. You know, greatness is how I would describe his game, and seems like an amazing young man,” he added.
“And just to watch, I bring it up because this is game 30. He’s got several weeks or a month or so left, but guys like him, they just don’t come into college basketball very, very often. I mean, he’s a generational player. He’s really, really good. And this number one pick thing, like I don’t know why people aren’t talking about him more. I can’t imagine anybody better,” he concluded.
Fans React to Sean Miller Heaping Praise on Darius Acuff Jr
Fans online were divided on Miller’s comments about Darius Acuff’s greatness.
“Not even a top 5 PG under Cal. Let’s be honest,” one fan claimed.
“Roughly five percent of draft picks are Acuff’s height or lower. That’s why,” another fan commented.
“This is absolutely awesome from Sean Miller, seriously this is the kinda praise I wish we saw more of in the sport,” one fan appreciated.
“He aint lying acuff is the number 1 pick if u dont pick him number 1 u made a big mistake,” another fan agreed.
“Acuff is PG1 and it’s no debate, but when you have the number 1 pick you have to draft the player who has the most upside and clear path to that upside and that’s AJ dybantsa,” another took their pick.
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