A Razorback's Draft Destiny Takes Shape
Darius Acuff, the Arkansas point guard who captured the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top floor general and earned consensus First‑Team All‑American honors, has received an invitation to the NBA Draft Green Room, a clear signal that the league views him among the elite prospects heading into the June 23‑24 draft in Brooklyn.
During the 2025‑26 campaign Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game, guiding the Razorbacks to both the SEC Tournament championship and a Sweet 16 run. His 23.5‑point average marked the first time since Pete Maravich in 1969‑70 that a SEC player led the conference in both scoring and assists, underscoring the historic nature of his contribution.
Analysts project Acuff to be selected within the top ten picks, which would make him the fifth one‑and‑done player in Arkansas history to enter the NBA draft. Joining him among the expected draftees are former Razorbacks Meleek Thomas, a projected mid‑to‑late first‑rounder, and graduate forward Trevon Brazile, slated for an early‑to‑mid second‑round selection.
While scouts praise his offensive creativity and playmaking ability, some have voiced reservations about his defensive consistency, a narrative that could influence his draft stock as teams weigh upside against reliability.
Scouting Perspectives
The conversation around Acuff’s draft position is amplified by the presence of other Arkansas alumni who have previously made the leap to the NBA, reinforcing the program’s reputation for producing NBA‑ready talent. As the draft approaches, the Green Room invitation serves as both validation of his achievements and a prelude to the next chapter of his professional career.