Arkansas is making waves in college basketball this season, thanks in large part to the remarkable performance of Darius Acuff Jr., who has been recognized as one of the premier point guards in the nation. Recently named a third team midseason All-American by College Hoops Today, Acuff’s impressive play has also earned him the SEC Freshman of the Week award for three consecutive weeks.
The native of Detroit is currently leading the Razorbacks with an impressive average of 18.9 points per game. His performance against No. 8 Houston last Saturday was particularly noteworthy, where he scored a game-high 27 points while also contributing seven assists and five rebounds. Against ranked teams, Acuff has elevated his game, averaging 20.2 points and 7.2 assists per game.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Acuff ranks as the second among NCAA freshmen in assists per game with 6.2. He boasts an impressive shooting percentage of 48.8% from the field and 43.8% from beyond the arc, making him one of only five freshmen to achieve such statistics this season. Notably, he is the only player on the Razorbacks roster who has scored in double figures in all 12 games played thus far.
Acuff is standing alongside other elite freshmen such as Cameron Boozer from Duke and A.J. Dybantsa from BYU, both of whom are likely candidates for high selections in the upcoming NBA Draft.
As Arkansas takes a break for the holiday season, they are set to return to Bud Walton Arena for their final non-conference matchup against James Madison on December 29. With Acuff continuing to shine, fans are eager to see what the rest of the season holds for the Razorbacks. This is a promising season for Arkansas basketball, showcasing the potential of their standout freshman and setting the stage for exciting games ahead.