Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. Declares for 2026 NBA Draft, Latest B/R Mock Draft Projection

Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. is declaring for the 2026 NBA draft after one college season.

Acuff announced his decision in a Wednesday appearance on ESPN's NBA Today.

Acuff was named a consensus first-team All-American after ranking third in DI men's basketball with 23.5 points per game during his freshman season.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected that Acuff will go at No. 5 to the Sacramento Kings in his latest mock draft.

A top-five prospect in the Class of 2025, Acuff finished his freshman season having 48.4 from the field and 44 percent from deep while also ranking 14th in the NCAA with 6.4 assists per game.

He was the first player since LSU's Pete Maravich to lead the SEC in points and assists in the same season.

After leading Arkansas to an SEC Tournament title, Acuff put up 36 points in a Round of 32 matchup against High Point to help the Razorbacks reach the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

Acuff's production improved down the back stretch of the season leading up to Arkansas' elimination loss to Arizona in the Sweet 16.

Wasserman reported that perceptions of Acuff "shifted" over the final two months of the season after scouts watched him average 28.4 points and 6.8 assists through 14 games since the start of February.

Some scouts now see Acuff as the top point guard in the draft over other candidates including Houston's Kingston Flemings, Illinois' Keaton Wagler and Alabama's Labaron Philon, according to Wasserman.

That could make him one of the top players off the board after what is generally projected as a consensus top three of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. Wasserman has those three and UNC's Caleb Wilson as the top four selections in his latest mock.

Concerns still exist over Acuff's measurements, Wasserman noted. The 19-year-old is listed at 6'3" and 190 pounds by the Razorbacks.

"With diverse, accurate shotmaking, advantage-creating handles and quickness, finishing craft and convincing playmaking IQ, he's poked enough holes in the belief that limited size, athleticism and defensive resistance cap his ceiling," Wasserman reported. "NBA teams will still be eager to learn Acuff's official measurements, given the ongoing conversations around the value of small guards who can be targeted defensively."

Where Acuff ultimately lands could depend on the results of the May 10 draft lottery. The Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings are heading into the lottery with top odds at the No. 1 pick.

Which teams end up selecting at No. 4 and No. 5 could end up dictating where Acuff lands when the 2026 NBA draft kicks off on Tuesday, June 23 in Brooklyn.