Former Arkansas standout Darius Acuff Jr. soaring in NBA mock drafts
By David Wasson
Published:
Scouts and analysts watching pre-NBA Draft workouts continue to be impressed by former Arkansas standout Darius Acuff Jr., with one listing Acuff as a potential Top 5 pick.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman posted his updated 2026 NBA Mock Draft on Friday after players worked out that the NBA Combine in Chicago – as scouts put players through the paces with measurements, athletic testing, drills, interviews and scrimmages.
Wasserman slots Acuff in at No. 5 overall going to the Los Angeles Clippers, behind AJ Dybantsa from BYU. Darryn Peterson from Kansas, Cameron Boozer from Duke and Caleb Wilson from North Carolina. In addition to offering Stephon Marbury as Acuff’s pro comparison, here is what Wassmerman had to say about the consensus All-American:
The No. 5 pick will be interesting if Caleb Wilson is gone. Concerns over Darius Acuff Jr.’s size have faded after he measured 6’2″ barefoot with a 6’7″ wingspan.
With encouraging strength and length and Acuff possessing a strong best-player-available case, the Los Angeles Clippers could now become open-minded about his potential to play next to Darius Garland.
Acuff happened to be a highly efficient off-ball scorer/shooter. There would certainly be defensive issues L.A. would have to mask with its frontcourt, but he appears too desirable for the team to pass.
No. 5 also figures to be a popular trade-up spot for point guard-needy teams.
Acuff delivered 23.5 points, 6.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game for the Razorbacks in 2025-26 en route to being named SEC Player of the Year and winning the SEC Tournament MVP.
Per Kalshi, Acuff is among the top contenders to be a top pick in the NBA Draft:
The 2026 NBA Draft will begin on June 23.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
