Darius Acuff Jr. Declares for 2026 NBA Draft, Projected Pick

Context He announced his decision in an ESPN interview on April 22, becoming a one-and-done under coach John Calipari. One-and-done means a player who spends one season in college before declaring for the draft. His lone season saw him lead the SEC in both scoring and assists, a feat not matched since Pete Maravich.

Key Facts Acuff posted 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game, shooting 48.4% from the field and 44% from three-point range. ESPN's mock draft projects him as the seventh overall pick, slated for the Dallas Mavericks.

What It Means His scoring and playmaking numbers rank him in the top five among point-guard prospects. Teams will assess his defensive consistency and ability to maintain efficiency against NBA competition. What to watch next: his performance at the NBA Draft Combine and summer league workouts, which will shape his final draft position.