DETROIT – Darius Acuff Jr., the former Cass Technical High School standout and current Arkansas Razorbacks star guard who figures on many mock drafts as a potential No. 1 pick, talks Reebok deal, Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal, family ties, and Detroit heritage in a new interview.
Acuff Jr. just led the No. 4-seeded Razorbacks into the Sweet 16 following a 94-88 victory over No. 12-seeded High Point Panthers on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in the round of 32.
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The freshman guard from Detroit dropped 36 points, while shooting 11-22 from the field, 3-6 from beyond the arc, and 11-13 from the charity stripe in the victory.
After the game, news resurfaced about Acuff Jr’s multi-year NIL deal with Reebok, which he signed in May of 2025.
The deal is valued at around $1.1 million, according to reports.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame head coach John Calipari and his Razorbacks are a Nike school, but reports indicate that Acuff Jr.’s NIL deal allows him to rock Reebok off the court, as he did in his interview with “Swish Cultures.”
Acuff Jr. grew up with a basketball in his hands, surrounded by a family of hoopers that shaped his love for the game.
“Growing up, it was good,” Acuff Jr. said. “I always had a basketball, like my whole family. You ain’t even seen half of it, bro. I promise you it’s crazy. My whole family played basketball, my mom’s side, my dad’s side.”
Acuff Jr. described a childhood filled with cousins and constant play.
“I spent a lot of time with them every day. Big cousins, little cousins, we all learned from each other, picking up stuff from each other. That was important for all of us,” Acuff Jr. said.
Basketball, he said, was the central sport in his family.
“Nobody plays football. Everybody’s main sport was basketball. My big cousin, Tyson Acuff, played college basketball at Ruckers last year. We’ve got a family full of hoopers, and it doesn’t even start with me. It goes way, way back before me.”
For Acuff Jr., growing up in Detroit wasn’t just about the game; it was about family, culture, and learning from those around him.
“It was fun,” Acuff Jr. said. “Basketball was always part of our lives, and it’s everything to us.”
For Acuff Jr., development didn’t come easy. It came through long days, hard work, and a relentless grind across Detroit.
“I went everywhere, the park, the gym, wherever,” Acuff Jr. said. “That’s how we grind. That’s how you’ve got to get it out of the mud in Detroit. That’s how we work.”
Acuff Jr. said he wasn’t always recognized as a top player and had to earn his reputation over time.
“Nobody really knew who I was,” Acuff Jr. said. “I had to work my way up.”
That process, he explained, started with discipline long before the spotlight ever found him. Practices focused on conditioning and toughness as much as skill.
“We’re going into practice jumping over chairs when we were little, doing all that,” Acuff Jr. said. “We weren’t even touching the basketball. We were jumping over chairs, running laps, the whole team.”
The approach helped shape his mentality and prepared him for higher levels of competition.
“It was different. We grew up kind of different,” Acuff Jr. said. “But that’s how you make it. That’s how you go through things. You learn when you’re little, and once you get older, it’ll be kind of easier for you.”
For Acuff Jr., the lessons learned early, through hard work and persistence, became the foundation for his rise.
Acuff Jr.’s rise led him to Cass Technical High School, where he became a standout point guard who caught the attention of Fab Five member and former Michigan Wolverines head basketball coach Juwan Howard.
He spent two years at Cass, where he was a 2022 Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention as a freshman, before averaging 21.4 points per game and 5.7 assists as a sophomore, helping them secure a state championship and earning Mr. PSL honors, becoming the first ever sophomore to achieve such success in the Detroit Public School League.
After dropping 38 points in a game during his sophomore season, Acuff Jr. was named First Team All-State during his sophomore year as he led the Technicians to their Division 1 state title before transferring to IMG Academy.
Arkansas Razorback
The former five-star led the Razorbacks to a 28-8 record, finishing in second place in the SEC before securing an SEC Tournament championship in 2026.
Acuff Jr. said the decision to commit to Arkansas came down to one key factor: coach Calipari.
“It was all Cal,” Acuff Jr. said. “I credit coach Chin, too, assistant coach Chin Coleman. It was them two for sure.”
Calipari’s reputation for developing elite guards played a major role in Acuff Jr.’s choice.
“Seeing that history, it’s hard to pass that up,” Acuff Jr. said. “He’s got, I think, two MVPs now with Derrick Rose and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.”
Acuff Jr. pointed to Calipari’s broader résumé of producing NBA talent, noting that even players without eye-popping college statistics have gone on to be high draft picks.
“Some guys averaged 13, 14 points and still went top five, top 10,” Acuff Jr. said. “Just seeing the history behind that.”
Beyond basketball development, Acuff Jr. emphasized the personal connection he built with Calipari during the recruiting process.
“He’s not just a coach, he’s a great guy off the court,” Acuff Jr. said. “He looks out for you in real life. That relationship was different from anybody else.”
With Calipari now leading Arkansas after years at Kentucky, Acuff Jr. sees the move as an opportunity to be part of something new.
“I say Arkansas is like a new step, really, for coach,” Acuff Jr. said. “Just repping the same thing for Arkansas as he did with Kentucky, starting that new wave.”
Acuff Jr. added that he and fellow recruit Maleek Thomas are focused on helping build that next chapter.
“That’s important for me and Maleek to do,” Acuff Jr. said. “But it’s been great for sure.”
Favorite players growing up
Film study plays a key role in Acuff Jr.’s development, as the young guard looks to some of the NBA’s top players for inspiration.
“I try to watch a lot of film,” Acuff Jr. said.
Growing up, Acuff Jr. said his early exposure to the game came through watching Kyrie Irving, especially during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“When I was younger, my dad was a LeBron James fan, so the Cavs were on TV a lot,” Acuff Jr. said. “So I watched a lot of Kyrie.”
As his game evolved, so did the list of players he studied.
Acuff Jr. said he sees similarities between his own style and that of Damian Lillard.
“I like Dame a lot,” Acuff Jr. said. “We kind of got the same movement, same size, same build a little bit, and we both can shoot.”
Acuff Jr. also studies a range of current NBA stars, including Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, and Detroit Pistons two-time All-Star Cade Cunningham, looking to pick up different elements of their games.
But one player stands above the rest when it comes to influence.
“My favorite player to always watch is Allen Iverson,” Acuff Jr. said. “I watch him too much.”
Through consistent film study, Acuff Jr. continues to refine his skills, blending elements from past and present stars into his own style of play.
Reebok deal
For Acuff Jr., choosing Reebok was about more than just a brand; it was about legacy, relationships, and belief in what’s ahead.
“The brand, growing up, Reebok was big,” Acuff Jr. said. “I seen a lot of people wearing it. People try to downplay it sometimes, but that’s Allen Iverson. Not even just Iverson; Reebok as a whole is legendary.”
Acuff Jr. said the company’s impact goes beyond basketball, citing its wide reach and its history in sports and culture.
“They sponsor so many things that people forget about,” Acuff Jr. said.
Ultimately, it was the people behind the brand who solidified his decision.
“It was great people around Reebok, people that genuinely care about you and want to see you win,” Acuff Jr. said. “Ever since then, it’s been real love, real genuine.”
He also believes the company is in the midst of a resurgence.
“They’re still rebranding,” Acuff Jr. said. “I feel like they haven’t even shown their top yet. They’ve got a lot more stuff coming.”
The partnership has also opened the door for Acuff Jr. to connect with some of the game’s biggest names, including Iverson himself.
“Talking to Iverson, that was crazy,” Acuff Jr. said. “That was my first time ever seeing him in person.”
The moment came during the Iverson Classic, where Acuff had a chance to interact with one of his idols.
“He gave me great advice, always play hard, play with heart, because that’s what he always did,” Acuff Jr. said.
Acuff has also received encouragement from O’Neal, who has communicated through his family.
“He always says just keep going, just keep grinding,” Acuff Jr. said.
For Acuff Jr., learning from figures like Iverson and O’Neal adds another layer to his journey, reinforcing the mindset that has guided him from Detroit to the next level.
“They’re great role models and great leaders,” Acuff Jr. said.
Top 3 ever from The D
Acuff Jr. takes pride in the history of basketball in his hometown, and his list of the greatest Detroit players reflects both knowledge of the past and respect for those who came before him.
Asked to name his top three Detroit hoopers of all time, Acuff pointed to Chris Webber, Derrick Coleman, and Winford Walton.
While those names might surprise some, given his age, Acuff Jr. said his appreciation for older generations came from learning the game through family.
“I got put on by my pops,” Acuff Jr. said. “I’m not about to sit up and act like I knew who they were. I’m young. But once you watch it, you’re like, ‘Oh, he’s from Detroit.’”
Acuff Jr. said watching Coleman’s game stood out immediately.
“Derrick Coleman was cold for real,” Acuff Jr. said. “He was dribbling, doing a lot of stuff at his size.”
He also highlighted Coleman’s connection to Allen Iverson with the Philadelphia 76ers, which helped introduce him to the Detroit native’s game.
For Acuff Jr., Webber’s legacy speaks for itself.
“Everybody knows Chris Webber,” Acuff Jr. said. “If he’s not No. 1, I don’t know what to say. He’s legendary.”
Webber, with coach Howard, starred at the University of Michigan as part of the famed “Fab Five,” cementing his place in basketball history.
Acuff Jr. also paid tribute to Walton, whom he described as family.
“That’s like an uncle of mine. Rest in peace,” Acuff Jr. said. “People don’t know, he was ranked No. 2 behind Kobe Bryant in high school.”
He added that Walton’s style reminded him of modern NBA players, drawing comparisons to Paolo Banchero after watching film.
By studying past and present players, Acuff Jr. continues to deepen his connection to Detroit’s rich basketball culture, which continues to influence his journey today.
Look for Acuff Jr. to keep it going as he and Calipari prepare for their Sweet 16 matchup against the No. 1-seeded Arizona Wildcats on Thursday (March 26) at 9:45 p.m.