Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. has officially arrived on the national stage. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound freshman from Detroit earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors after averaging 17.5 points, nine assists, and five rebounds in a pair of impressive wins over No. 6 Louisville and Fresno State. Acuff showcased the poise, maturity, and playmaking ability of a seasoned veteran, not a first-year guard still adjusting to the college level.
ACC/SEC Challenge Spotlight
In the ACC/SEC Challenge against Louisville, Acuff delivered the best performance of his young career. He posted his first-ever double-double with 17 points and a career-high 10 assists, guiding Arkansas to a huge win at a moment when the program desperately needed momentum. Big platform for Acuff to deliver his best performance of the season to date thus far.
Coming off two early non-conference losses, the Razorbacks couldn’t afford another setback this early in the season. Acuff answered that pressure with confidence and composure, stepping up when the team needed him most. His distribution, decision-making, and timely scoring were instrumental in beating a top-10 opponent, an early sign that Arkansas has a rising star on its hands.
The Freshman Star Shows Consistency
Against Fresno State, Acuff nearly replicated that stat line with 18 points, nine assists (against just one turnover), and five rebounds in an 82–58 win. It wasn’t a game that demanded late heroics, but it showed something equally important. The being consistency.
For a freshman guard, stringing together high-impact performances in back-to-back games is a major indicator of growth. Even in a more comfortable matchup, Acuff controlled the pace, protected the ball, and continued to elevate the Razorbacks’ offense.
That level of steady production is exactly what the coaching staff and fanbase hoped to see as he develops into one of the team’s central pillars.
A Rising Star and Early Program Leader
Acuff’s early-season emergence is more than just a hot streak, it’s a sign of the star guard he is quickly becoming. His blend of scoring touch, court vision, toughness, and feel for the game gives Arkansas a dynamic backcourt weapon capable of shifting momentum every night. If he maintains this level of play and high level efficiency, the Razorbacks will not only become a major threat in the SEC but also a dangerous force in national championship conversations.
And as his confidence grows, so will his NBA Draft stock. Acuff already entered the season with intrigue as an explosive, skilled freshman. Now, with efficient production against top-tier competition, his trajectory is rising fast.
For Arkansas, Acuff’s SEC Freshman of the Week honor is more than an award, it’s confirmation that the Razorbacks have a game-changing talent who is only beginning to tap into his potential. If these last two performances are any indication, Darius Acuff Jr. isn’t just a promising freshman. He’s becoming one of the most important players in the SEC and could reshape the college basketball landscape.