We are officially 13 days away from the transcendent 2026 NBA Draft, and as the days pass, mock drafts continue to fluctuate. As for the Atlanta Hawks, they’re bound to get one of the popular guards at the top of the lottery, and one potential candidate for Trae Young’s permanent replacement is Darius Acuff Jr.
Acuff Jr. is undoubtedly a polarizing prospect
Although Arkansas has produced numerous NBA players in previous years, Acuff Jr. is one of the most talented Razorbacks of the last decade. The 19-year-old became the first freshman since former Hawk Trae Young to lead the SEC in scoring and assists. He finished the season averaging 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game.
Under the guidance of Hall of Famer John Calipari, Acuff Jr. gave Arkansas their second-consecutive Sweet 16 appearance after a 28-9 record in the regular season. Throughout his short stint alongside Calipari, he showcased the ability to score at an extremely high level.Â
In the fall of 2025, there were records for low temperatures in the South, but Acuff Jr. was hot - setting records on the hardwood. He shattered the single-season record for scoring with 845 points and assists, dishing out 232 of them.Â
He proved he can score at all three levels and always capitalizes at the free throw line, finishing the season at a crisp 80.9%. Scouts have fallen in love with his pure scoring ability, and their belief became cemented on February 18th when he dropped 49 points and five assists, shooting 16-27 from the field. Â
Most people are sold on the kid from the east side of Detroit, but when there are supporters, there will also be doubters.
It's hard to ignore his defensive limitations
It was an All-SEC caliber season, but even with his offensive powers, Acuff's defense is too poor to ignore. He struggled to guard most of his opponents, and it was a trend all season for the future NBA lottery pick.
We all know how stern Calipari is, especially when upholding his defensive reputation. Nine of his first 14 teams finished top ten in adjustive defensive efficiency, and this year they finished 18th nationally.
It’s impossible to put all the blame on one freshman, but once he touches an NBA court, he’ll stick out like a sore thumb. Depending on which team he falls to, he’s expected to become a franchise centerpiece, and his defense will hurt his chances of getting much-needed playing time in his rookie year.Â
Luckily for Acuff Jr., he can add muscle to his 6’3", 190-pound frame. When analyzing his physique, it’s clear that he has a strong foundation in muscle definition and athleticism. He’ll certainly have the work ethic, so all signs point to a future star in the NBA.Â
Unlike his defensive comparison to Trae Young, Acuff Jr is two inches taller and 11 pounds heavier than the 4x All-Star when he was a rookie. It’s already a good sign since he'll likely start in his rookie year, similar to Young during the 2018-19 season.
If the Hawks' developmental team can continue their trend of improving their prospects in key areas, he could become Jalen Johnson’s co-star for the future. His off-ball movement and playmaking will benefit Atlanta’s All-Star in year one of their pairing.
Only time will tell how good Darius Acuff Jr. will really be, and if he’s available the night of June 23rd. Hawks fans will get to see the result firsthand, for better or for worse.
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