As the NCAA Tournament rolls into the Sweet 16, Darius Acuff Jr. has become one of the most talked-about names in college basketball—and a player firmly on the radar of the Sacramento Kings.
The Arkansas freshman has surged into top-ten NBA Draft consideration while leading the Razorbacks on a deep March run, and according to 247 Sports’ Tyler Glasscock, his impact goes well beyond the box score.
“Darius Acuff Jr. is just downright one of the best college basketball players I have ever seen,” Glasscock said on Sactown Sports’ The Matt & Kayla Show.
“He has exceeded those expectations and continues to do them every time he steps out on the floor… this is someone who can be a franchise changer.”
For a Kings team searching for long-term direction and potential backcourt stability, that kind of evaluation only adds to Acuff’s intrigue as a possible high draft target.
Darius Acuff Jr. is simply unguardable as he just hit the dagger to take down High Point
Lottery pick🎯
pic.twitter.com/nApOecDgjQ
— Grace (@gracesporttakes) March 22, 2026
More on Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr.
The 6’3 guard is averaging 23.3 points (7th in NCAA Division I), 3.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists (13th in NCAA Division I), and 0.8 steals per game on 49 percent shooting from the field and an incredible 44 percent from three-point range.
Glasscock highlighted Acuff’s poise and competitiveness as defining traits—qualities that would translate to a pressure-filled environment like Sacramento.
“Every time you step on the floor, you see maturity, you see poise, you see all the on-court talent,” he said. Even while battling adversity, Acuff has delivered, including a 49-point explosion shortly after suffering an ankle injury.
“When you see this kid’s motor and this drive to win… that’s what makes you realize what this kid can be,” Glasscock added. “If there’s anybody who can handle the weight of the world… no one could handle it more than Darius Acuff Jr.”
Offensively, Darius Acuff Jr has shown the kind of dynamic scoring and shot creation that could immediately benefit the Sacramento Kings’ roster construction.
“It sometimes feels like no shot is a bad shot for Darius Acuff Jr,” Glasscock said, pointing to his nearly 45 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 21: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks attempts a shot while being guarded by Owen Aquino #8, Conrad Martinez, and Terry Anderson #5 of the High Point Panthers during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 21, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
(Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
“Every time he shoots the basketball, I think it’s going in… he has this other-worldly confidence.” That ability to play both on and off the ball could make him a seamless fit alongside established scorers at the NBA level.
Beyond scoring, Darius Acuff Jr has proven to be a high-level playmaker—an element that could unlock pieces around him in Sacramento.
“Everybody around him gets better with Darius Acuff Jr,” Glasscock explained. “He understands when someone has the hot hand… he’s super unselfish.” With over six assists per game and a natural feel for the pick-and-roll, his skillset aligns with what the Kings could look for in a modern lead guard.
While defensive questions remain, Glasscock believes they are correctable.
“It’s not that he’s not trying… he has the heart and willingness to learn,” he said. For the Sacramento Kings, that combination of elite scoring, playmaking, and competitive drive could make Darius Acuff Jr not just a prospect—but a potential cornerstone.
Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.
Listen to and watch Sactown Sports’ The Matt & Kayla Show with Matt George & Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.
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When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
Maxime Raynaud and the Sacramento Kings will continue their final road trip of the season on Thursday afternoon when they face the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center.
Sacramento dropped a 131-94 contest to Orlando at Golden 1 Center on February 19th as the Magic used a 30-point effort from Paolo Banchero to blow out the Kings.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Orlando Magic action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 4:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Orlando.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, March 26th – @ Orlando Magic – 4:00 PM PT
Saturday, March 28th – @ Brooklyn Nets – 4:00 PM PT
Sunday, March 29th @ Brooklyn Nets – 3:00 PM PT
Wednesday, April 1st @ Toronto Raptors – 5:00 PM PT
Friday, April 3rd vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT
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