At this point, it’s no longer a breakout.
It’s history.
Arkansas star freshman Darius Acuff Jr. has earned his seventh SEC Freshman of the Week honor this season, setting a new conference record. In a league that has featured some of the greatest one-and-done talents in college basketball history, Acuff now stands alone.
And he’s not done yet.
Darius Acuff Jr. Sets SEC Freshman of the Week Record
Acuff averaged 29.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists across two massive SEC wins over LSU and Auburn. Arkansas went 2–0 during that stretch, winning both games by double digits, including a dominant 29-point dismantling of LSU.
He tied his career high with 31 points and once again proved he’s the engine that drives this Razorbacks team.
When Arkansas needs control, pace, or a bucket in a big moment, the ball finds Acuff.
And more often than not, the result is the same.
According to ESPN, Acuff became the first SEC freshman since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tremont Waters (2017–18) to record 500 points and 150 assists in a single season.
Darius Acuff Jr. has earned his seventh SEC Freshman of the Week honor this season—a new conference record.
— Grayson Pierce (@GraysonPierce4) February 16, 2026
He averaged 29.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists over two games last week against LSU and Auburn.
Acuff also becomes the first SEC freshman since Shai… pic.twitter.com/rofUY4ZfZt
His consistency has been just as impressive as his explosiveness. Acuff has recorded 20+ points and 5+ assists in six straight games, the best stretch by a Razorback since the 1991–92 season.
That isn’t just freshman production.
That’s program-level production.
Still Not Getting Enough National Respect
For reasons that are hard to explain, Acuff still isn’t universally discussed as one of the best players in the country, not just freshmen, but players.
Seven Freshman of the Week honors. Historic scoring and assist marks. Dominant performances in conference play. Leading a team surging in the SEC standings.
The résumé speaks loudly.
Consider how many elite freshmen have come through the SEC over the past decade. Lottery picks. National stars. Household names. And yet Acuff is now the only freshman in conference history to win seven Freshman of the Week awards, surpassing the previous record of six.
And there are still games left. If he maintains this pace, he could extend that record even further.
What makes this run even more impressive is how it aligns with Arkansas’ success. The Razorbacks are stacking wins, climbing rankings, and building momentum at the perfect time.
Acuff’s individual dominance hasn’t come at the expense of team flow, it has elevated it. The more he thrives, the more dangerous the Razorbacks become. Every great season has moments where it shifts from impressive to historic. Acuff is there now.
- Seven SEC Freshman of the Week honors
- 500+ points
- 150+ assists.
- Six straight games of 20+ points and 5+ assists.
- Statement wins in the toughest conference in America.
This isn’t just a hot streak. It’s a statement. And if the rest of the country hasn’t fully caught on yet, they will soon.
Because what Darius Acuff Jr. is doing isn’t just special for Arkansas. It’s special for the SEC and it’s starting to look just as special on a national level, too.