When the season began, the conversation around Arkansas freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. focused on his potential. Now, it’s all about his production, toughness, and leadership. Acuff has developed his game throughout the season, earning national attention, and he has finally received the honors he’s long deserved.
Darius Acuff Jr. Earns SEC Player of the Week Honors
After rewriting the record books with eight SEC Freshman of the Week honors, the most in conference history, Acuff has finally added SEC Player of the Week to his growing collection. And he earned it the hard way.
In two outings last week, Acuff averaged 34.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Razorbacks, including a record-setting 49-point eruption that further cemented his status as one of the most electric scorers in college basketball. It wasn’t just volume scoring, it was command, poise, and the ability to carry an offense when Arkansas needed him most.
Arkansas freshman G Darius Acuff, Jr., named SEC Player of the Week -- FINALLY!!! -- after averaging 34.5 ppg, 5.0 apg, 4.5 rpg in the Hoop Hogs' 2 outings last week, incl record-setting 49-pt performance @ Bama pic.twitter.com/EFKrGE8P8d
— Kevin McPherson (@ARHoopScoop) February 23, 2026
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Two days before Arkansas’ showdown against Alabama, head coach John Calipari revealed to the media that Acuff had been in a walking boot. For many players, that would have been the end of the conversation: rest up, recover, and look ahead.
Not Acuff.
The matchup against Alabama turned into an instant classic, stretching into double overtime. Acuff didn’t just suit up, he played all 50 minutes. Every second. On a tender foot/ankle. In one of the most physically demanding environments in the SEC.
Arkansas ultimately fell short in that thriller, but Acuff’s performance resonated louder than the final score. It was grit in its purest form.
Given the physical toll of that game, compounded by his appearance on the injury report, Coach Calipari offered Acuff the opportunity to sit out the following matchup against Missouri to heal.
Acuff’s response? No chance.
After losing to Alabama, he made it clear: he was playing. That refusal wasn’t about stat-chasing or award hunting. It was about accountability. About not letting his teammates take the floor without him. About loving the game too much to watch from the sidelines.
This week may officially be remembered as the one where Acuff claimed SEC Player of the Week honors. But within the Arkansas fan base and among analysts, his reputation was already secured.
Razorbacks' Unquestioned Leader
Under Calipari’s guidance, Acuff has evolved from highly touted freshman into the heartbeat of the Razorbacks. The scoring explosions grab headlines. The seven Freshman of the Week awards prove sustained excellence. But playing 50 minutes in double overtime on an injured foot, then refusing to sit the next game, reveals something deeper.
Leadership.
In an era where many players carefully manage minutes and physical strain with an eye toward the NBA Draft and the next chapter of their careers, Acuff’s mentality stands out. His focus isn’t on draft boards or projections. It’s on winning. On competing. On being there for his team.
That doesn’t mean health isn’t important. It is. But there’s a difference between protecting a future and embracing the present. Acuff has shown he understands that balance, and that he’s willing to sacrifice for the program across his chest.
Whether he won the award this week or not, the message was already clear: Darius Acuff Jr. has arrived. Not just as a scorer. Not just as a record-setting freshman.
But as a leader.