The Sacramento Kings rolled the dice on star power at the 2026 NBA Draft, using the No. 7 pick on Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., a Detroit-born freshman who turned his one year in Fayetteville into a highlight reel and a trophy haul. The 6-foot-3 playmaker arrives with a reputation as a scoring engine and advanced passer, immediately reshaping Sacramento’s search for a long-term lead guard and giving fans a new high-usage attraction to track next season.
According to NBA.com, the Kings called Acuff's name with the No. 7 overall selection on Tuesday night, wrapping up their first-round business with a lottery-level guard they can build around as they retool the backcourt.
Acuff’s College Résumé
Acuff exploded as a freshman, averaging 23.5 points and 6.4 assists while setting Arkansas single-season records for points (845) and assists (232). He also collected the Bob Cousy Award and SEC Player of the Year honors, according to Arkansas Athletics. He was a unanimous first-team All-American and a finalist for both the Wooden and Naismith awards, a résumé that firmly locked him into lottery territory.
Tournament Surge And Record Night
Acuff saved some of his loudest work for March. He averaged 29.8 points and 6.5 assists over six NCAA Tournament games and uncorked a freshman-record 49-point performance against Alabama that turned heads across the sport, per ClickOnDetroit. Scouts came away impressed with his shot creation and three-level scoring, while circling his defense and size as clear NBA development priorities.
Detroit Roots And Development
Raised in Detroit, Acuff starred at Cass Technical before transferring to IMG Academy and eventually thriving under John Calipari at Arkansas. He also earned MVP honors at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup with USA Basketball, the school notes. Between his hometown pedigree and international experience, he arrives as a rare one-and-done prospect carrying both local buzz and global exposure.
How He Fits In Sacramento
Scouts and local analysts had the Kings pegged for a point guard at No. 7, and Acuff’s mix of scoring and playmaking fits the bill as a potential primary ball handler who can create for himself and others, as outlined by Sports Illustrated. The focus now shifts to shoring up his defensive positioning and consistency, but the appeal of pairing his offensive polish with the Kings’ spacing is obvious.
Marketability And NIL
Off the court, Acuff already brings commercial juice. Industry reporting says he signed a multi-year NIL deal with Reebok in May 2025 and is set to debut a signature shoe as he turns pro, according to Sports Business Journal. That marketing profile adds another layer to Sacramento’s investment in its new lottery guard.
Now the work shifts to development: get Acuff on the court, tighten the defensive fundamentals, and find out how quickly his college scoring punch can keep pace with the NBA. For Kings supporters, he is an instant focal point for next season and a rookie whose games will be appointment viewing.
