When NBA analyst and former champion Kendrick Perkins speaks, people listen, especially when the praise is loud. Perkins recently made waves with his comments on Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., calling him “My top freshman in college” and even going as far as to say Acuff is “arguably the best guard that John Calipari has ever coached.” Those are bold words, no doubt. But the more you dig into Acuff’s season so far, the less far-fetched that statement begins to feel.
Arkansas Basketball’s New Star Is Turning Heads
Let’s start with the first part of Perkins’ take: top freshman in college basketball. That title is absolutely debatable, but Acuff has built a strong case. Through the early portion of the season, he has put together a résumé that few freshmen, let alone guards, can match. Acuff is averaging around 20 points per game while dishing out roughly six assists, all while shooting an eye-popping 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range. Efficiency like that is impressive at any level, but for a freshman adjusting to the speed and physicality of the college game, it’s borderline unbelievable.
My Top Freshman in College!!!! Darius Acuff Jr. is the one that stands out the most. He’s arguably the best guard that Calipari has ever coached. Just saying… pic.twitter.com/QTHhuyOtAN
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) January 26, 2026
His accolades back up the numbers. Acuff has already tied an SEC record with six Freshman of the Week awards, consistently standing out night after night in one of the toughest conferences in the country. More importantly, he isn’t just putting up empty stats, he’s leading. Behind Acuff’s play, Arkansas has climbed into the top 15 rankings, positioning the Razorbacks as a legitimate national threat.
The NBA world has taken notice as well. Acuff is already being linked to the top 10 in several mock drafts, which says a lot considering how loaded this freshman class is. Names like AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Darryn Peterson dominate draft conversations, but Acuff has earned his place right alongside them. His poise, shot creation, and command of the offense separate him from the pack, and scouts clearly see a pro-ready skill set.
The second part of Perkins’ statement, that Acuff may be one of the best guards John Calipari has ever coached, is where the debate really heats up. Calipari’s track record is legendary. He’s coached elite guards such as Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Devin Booker, all of whom have gone on to become high-level NBA players. SGA, in particular, has reached MVP status, setting an incredibly high bar for any comparison.
No one is saying Acuff is already on that level. But the fact that his name can even enter that conversation as a freshman speaks volumes. If Acuff continues on this trajectory and approaches the caliber of players like Booker or Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA could be looking at its next superstar, one that Kendrick Perkins was willing to call out from the very beginning.
Bold take or not, Darius Acuff Jr. is making believers by the game. And at this point, he deserves every flower coming his way.