Acuff’s NBA Rise Shocks Analysts

College Basketball News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 28, 2026 · 1m

Darius Acuff, the surprise seventh-overall pick by the Sacramento Kings, is a scoring and assist machine who could be the franchise’s future face. His SEC-leading stats rival legends like Pete Maravich, and analysts call him a steal—especially since he was ranked higher. Acuff’s focus? Finding the right fit, and Sacramento’s culture and connection made it perfect. His coach, John Calipari, insists he’s NBA-ready, comparing his draft slide to Tyrese Maxey’s, and praising his heart, work ethic, and dedication—even staying at Arkansas for Christmas to train. With family ties to GM Scott Perry…