Darius Acuff Jr. Age & Biography

Darius Acuff Jr. is a 19-year-old American professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. Drafted seventh overall in the 2026 NBA draft after a record-breaking freshman season at the University of Arkansas, Acuff has made one of the most explosive starts to a rookie season in league history. In his first two weeks as a professional, he set the record for the most three-pointers made by a teenager in a single NBA game, became the youngest player in Kings franchise history to record consecutive 30-point games, and posted a 22-point, 12-assist double-double on November 4, 2026.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Darius Eugene Acuff Jr.
Known For	Sacramento Kings point guard; No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA draft
Age	19 years old (born November 16, 2006)
Hometown	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Occupation	Professional Basketball Player
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Partner	Not publicly known
Status	Active — Sacramento Kings (NBA)

Who Is Darius Acuff Jr.?

Darius Acuff Jr. is an American professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Sacramento Kings. Born on November 16, 2006, in Detroit, Michigan, he is 19 years old and stands 6 feet 2 inches tall. Acuff rose to national prominence as a five-star recruit at IMG Academy before starring for the Arkansas Razorbacks, where he won the Bob Cousy Award as the best point guard in college basketball in 2026.

The Kings selected Acuff with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, and he wasted no time announcing himself to the league. In his first two weeks, he scored 33, 34 and 38 points in successive career-highs, made nine three-pointers in a single game against Memphis — a record for a teenager — and became the youngest player in franchise history to record consecutive 30-point games, passing Oscar Robertson.

Early Life & Background

Acuff was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, where his father, Darius Acuff Sr., played college basketball for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. He attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, earning Associated Press all-state honorable mention as a freshman in 2022. As a sophomore, he averaged 21.4 points and 5.7 assists per game, led Cass Tech to a state championship, was named first-team all-state, and became the first sophomore ever named Mr. PSL, the Detroit Public School League’s player of the year.

After his sophomore year, Acuff transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, one of the most famous basketball schools in the United States. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2025 class. On July 26, 2024, he committed to play college basketball for John Calipari at the University of Arkansas, choosing the Razorbacks over Kansas and Michigan.

Darius Acuff Jr.’s College and NBA Career

Acuff spent one season at Arkansas (2025–26) and turned it into one of the best freshman campaigns in program history. He averaged 23.0 points and 6.6 assists per game — both led the Southeastern Conference — while leading the Razorbacks to a 28–9 record, an SEC tournament championship and a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. He was named a consensus first-team All-American, SEC Player of the Year, SEC Rookie of the Year, SEC tournament MVP and first-team All-SEC, and on April 5, 2026, he won the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s best point guard — the first Arkansas player ever to win it.

Acuff declared for the 2026 NBA draft on April 22, 2026, and the Sacramento Kings selected him seventh overall. He made his NBA debut on October 21, 2026, scoring 12 points in a 121–96 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Two days later, he scored a career-high 33 points against the Portland Trail Blazers, then topped it with 34 points and 14 assists in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans on October 29. On October 31, he scored a career-high 38 points with nine three-pointers against the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the first teenager in NBA history to make nine threes in a game. On November 4, 2026, he added a 22-point, 12-assist double-double for the Kings.

Before college, Acuff starred for the United States under-18 national team at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup in Buenos Aires, averaging 17.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists as the Americans won gold. He was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Facts About Darius Acuff Jr.

• He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2025 high school class.
• He won the Bob Cousy Award in 2026 as college basketball’s best point guard — the first Arkansas player to receive the honor.
• On October 31, 2026, he became the first teenager in NBA history to make nine three-pointers in a single game.
• He was named MVP of the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup after leading the United States to the gold medal.
• His father, Darius Acuff Sr., played college basketball for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Darius Acuff Jr.’s rookie season has only just begun, but his first two weeks suggest the Kings have found their point guard of the future. With a record-breaking start already behind him, the 19-year-old is one of the most exciting young players in the NBA.

See also: Ty Jerome, another breakout NBA guard, plus the More Trending Profiles page for more of the latest trending stars.