Arkansas freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. isn’t just having a great season, he’s having a historic one. With his sixth SEC Freshman of the Week award, Acuff has officially tied the most weekly honors ever earned by a freshman in SEC history, a mark that has now been reached only six times.
Arkansas Guard Poised to Break SEC Freshman of the Week Record
That elite list includes Brandin Knight (Kentucky), Bradley Beal (Florida), Jabari Smith (Auburn), James Robinson (Alabama), Brandon Miller (Alabama), and now, Acuff has etched his name right alongside them.
What makes this even more remarkable? We’re only about halfway through the season.
Acuff’s latest award came after a perfect 2–0 week for the Razorbacks, highlighted by road-tested toughness and offensive fireworks.
He opened the week against Vanderbilt with a composed, all-around performance, 17 points and 5 assists, setting the tone and controlling the game. This included a quick benching by Coach Calipari which most likely flipped a switch because then came the explosion.
Against LSU, in a tightly contested matchup, Acuff erupted for 31 points, delivering bucket after bucket when Arkansas needed it most. That performance marked just the eighth time in program history that a Razorback freshman has scored 30 or more points in a single game.
Big-time moment. Big-time response.
Let’s be clear, this isn’t a case of a freshman standing out in a weak league or benefiting from narrative momentum. This is the SEC, arguably the deepest and most physical conference in college basketball.
Acuff isn’t winning these awards by default, he’s taking them.
His combination of scoring versatility, poise beyond his years, and ability to rise in high-pressure moments has separated him from the pack. And under John Calipari, Acuff has fully bought in. Calipari believes in him. The team believes in him. And most importantly, Acuff believes in himself.
There’s a real argument that he’s not just one of the best freshmen in the SEC, but one of the best players, period.
With half a season still to play, Acuff has a very real chance to shatter the SEC freshman record outright well before the season comes to an end. If his current trajectory holds, this may not just be a record chase, it could be a coronation.
Arkansas fans are watching something special unfold. The SEC is on notice. And the rest of the country? They might want to start paying attention.
Darius Acuff Jr. isn’t just on the brink of history.
He’s coming for it.